The Dragon of Charred Scales

The Lonely Shadow

Jheecu

"Hey, wake up. I got you a new coat," said Harogbas, standing in the doorway to my room, holding a brown fur coat that looks like it would fit my human frame.

With a yawn, I open my eyes and growl, just comprehending what he just said. Harogbas woke me up for this?

"Why?" Clearly, I am in dragon form, while he stands as a human. Bundled in a jacket, he looks pathetic. Just like any human in cold weather. And vastly different from a dragon who can keep itself warm through spells or exertions. If only humans could know they can heat up a room by housing a dragon who has just went on a marathon flight. It would probably help in keeping them from destroying the environment.

"I thought we could take a walk in a human town together. I have an associate in West Yellowstone I want to meet with and bring here and I thought a trip would be good for you. We can walk around or go somewhere before meeting up with this associate. And having you with me might make things smoother."

I shook my head. "Not to a human place. We can fly among the mountains or walk around in nature, but not there."

"You know, eventually we could stroll among humans in all of our scaled glory. Allow them to admire a truly superior species while moving out of our way. Walk as if they are beneath us, and they are in more ways than one. Things are moving along so that this can become a normal occurrence."

I wanted to growl again but held it back. "Could. But whether I want to is a different story. And I don't unless necessary. They can admire me from a distance for all they have put me through."

He shook his head and lowered the arm carrying the coat. "Can you please come with me, just this once? I will dislike this as much as you, but I don't feel like going alone. You won't regret it. Everyone seems to shy away from me, and it took me this long to realize it."

That I do not doubt. That day Harogbas turned into a living shadow large enough to dwarf me and powerful enough to rival the best magic users here, we all felt a claw of fear deep within. And though he acts and seems unchanged, even I cannot shake that tinge of fear. It must be a primal instinct to fear the darkness.

"Then they are all fools. But I still don't get why you want me to walk among humans just to meet someone."

He sighed. "This associate, she is a shady character. She has knowledge I need but will not hesitate to rip me off at the first chance. Having another fierce dragon with me should lessen the risk, especially on the way back."

"Take an elf, or someone else strong in a hidden form. I can do little as a two-legged wimp. The flight back, maybe, but not in the town."

"It's not so simple. As a golem, she is weak in magic. She can do little to hurt us that way. But we have a history and she may try something to hinder me on our way back. She also knows many of us here at Oita, but not you. This associate will leave you alone, not me or the others."

"So, she might stab you in the back?"

"Or something to that effect. She cannot ride if I have a bubble shield active. But she might also just jump off, especially if she is paid in advance. You are no seer but for a strength dragon, you are adept at sensing magic. You can sense if she tries something and let me know."

I nod. I do not like it, but there is some sense in his words. "Still, why not a seer? They can hide from this golem until trouble arises."

"As I said before everyone shies away. Those who don't are mostly not fit for this task. And she is a seer herself."