If Carpets Could Rule The World (and other stories)

The Mythical Cough Of The Dragon

"Not the boots!" I yelp, burrowing the toe of my now frontless boot into the snow to put it out. I may be a hardened bounty hunter, the Sienna Fox- but I have an aversion to replacing my footwear.

The tiny dragon before me puffs a cloud of smoke, and I scowl. "You little... acting like you're so innocent, aren't you? And adorable? Well, you ruined my boots!"

Apparently, the dragon has nothing to say, because it just widens its jewel blue eyes further and sneezes.

"The mythical Snow Dragon..." I narrow my eyes at the creature, which is now unconcernedly leaping in and out of a pile of leaves. "...is a big baby."

"AH-CHEE!"

"Let's see..." I take a seat in the snow, since it doesn't look like either of us are leaving soon. "You burned down half of Aither. You burned all of Que Navido. You burned my boots- and you're well onto my pants."

It's starting to get drafty down there.

"So tell me, little one- why should I spare you?"

"AH-CHEE!"

"Because you're cute," I muse. "But that would just fetch a higher price for you since, you know, people love cute. Me too," I add, seeing it pout. "Just not when they burn off my clothing."

The dragon does noticeably nothing.

"I know I'm probably crazy, talking to a dragon, but it feels like you're listening, you know? Like I have someone to talk to. Being a bounty hunter is lonely sometimes."

The dragon agrees with an "AH-CHEE!"

"And if the reward for your capture wasn't worth more than I've ever earned, I'd probably take up architecture. After all, we do need to rebuild those villages you burned down." I glare suspiciously at the wiggling little lizard, just begging for a tummy rub. "Is this all a ploy to get me to touch you so you can burn my hand off, too? Because it's not working!"

That was almost paranoid. I shudder. "Okay, maybe a small tummy- AAH! My hand!"

I thrust the poor, singed appendage into snow, while the dragon looks on with an "Ah-chee?"

"You burned my hand!" I growl, finally standing up. If I can't use my bow or sword with this burned hand, then I will find a way to make that creature pay! I will... I will...

The dragon sneezes and a bush next to us catches flame.

... give this dragon cough medicine?

"Perhaps you need a doctor more than a bounty hunter," I say, scooping the little snow-white dragon into my arms. "How does one doctor a mythical creature, though? The magic books? Enchanted herbs?" Now that it's paused in it's sneezes, I rub its head. "MOTHER NATURE? ANY IDEAS?"

Mother Nature remains silent.

I give the dragon a pitying look. "Where I'm from, little dragon, we have this thing called cough medicine." I wince. "And I hope you like it- because like it or not, I'm giving you the largest dose I can." 

[an Aim To Engage entry]