Manslayer

Excerpt VII - Draken Language

This dragon was a water dragon. Some kind of turquoise water dragon with the power to heal wounds. I didn't think dragons actually existed, and even now I can't believe it. The sun was rising, the light bleeding through the cave entrance as the dragon rested in the corner of the cave opening that light doesn't touch. It hit me pretty hard when I woke though. Did a dragon really save me, or am I facing illusions? I didn't understand, but the beast was rather beautiful. It was mostly turquoise, partially emerald with a blue stomach and large wings. Its eyes seemed to be gold, and the creature seems to be resting now. Does it mistake me for dragon young or something? In that morn I begin to contemplate what has happened to me in these two years. It has went by fast, but it has been my own personal hell. But... This dragon... Could this be the point where that changes? I continued thinking about things, like what would happen if the drake realized I was human. I wouldn't blame him for killing me then. The humans of this world seem to be horrible people, and I hate them too. I guess this water drake and I can relate that way. He finally wakes, and my body is sore but I am somehow able to move once again. He gestures with his head for me to follow him once he notices me stand. I for some reason no longer fear him, and comply, following. I mean, he did save my life. This cave seems to go deeper than previously imagined, and as we go further down I lose the ability to see, and I try to carefully tell the dragon that I can't follow it, but it keeps going. I decide to walk back towards the entrance, wondering what got me to this point in my life. As I eventually reached sunlight again, I sit outside next to the ledge, noticing just how high up we are. The Capital is far below, seemingly silent. But I know it cannot be peaceful down there. I begin thinking about the Plague Doctor once again, and how he told me that my father was his son... Which would explain why he was so gloomy while I was down there. His son was dead, and it was because I wasn't strong enough... But its been a couple years since then, and I've been somewhat forced to move on. If I didn't, I would have died next to that tree in my front yard... But that doesn't mean I will forget. I will never forget, and I will never forgive. One day, I'll come back to slay that king! But... I do feel bad for not giving my knife to the Plague Doctor... It was his sons and he said he would trade for a proper sword, but I simply can't. He was my father too. Its sentimental to me as well. As my thoughts run on, I suddenly heard the dragon coming back with a single book in its maw. He drops it in front of me outside, and I open it. Its a book for translation from Paigen to Draken language. Did he show me this so he could speak to me? I began reading it, and the dragon decided to go back to its spot and rest. For days, I studied the book hoping to understand. But I couldn't completely. I just couldn't. Then, on a mid-summer evening the water drake came to me while I was reading, writing some of the Draken letters in front of me, then gesturing to the book. I begin studying the letters. D... y... n... i... s... e... Dynise? It turns out this was the drakes name. Dynise the Water Drake. My savior. In my time with him I realized that I could trust him, and that he really is my friend. Later that day he wrote the word name with a question mark in Draken, and I hesitated, but then I thought about it. Dynise became confused, but I wasn't sure I wanted my old name anymore.