Firewind

Chapter 12-Zander/Scymitar

Scymitar woke up long after I had. And he had definitely woken up on the wrong side of the bed. I think he just had too much to eat. He was whinier than yesterday, if that was even possible.

It's too early to wake up. Five more minutes...

"Sorry," I said sarcastically. "I'm leaving right now with or without you. I'm sure you can figure out a way to get food on your own without having to make me your mindless slave." I pulled on the little dragon's tail and it angrily swatted my hand away.

What-I would never! I don't know what you're talking about!

"I'm sure you don't."

I rolled my eyes and stuffed my bedroll into my pack. I ate a mendid fruit and continued walking north towards the Monlae desert. I heard the soft patter of slightly uneven steps and the deep breathing of another behind me. Of course that mischievous little rascal would come with me. At least he doesn't require me carrying him.

My paws hurt!

"Scym, we haven't even walked half an hour. Don't expect me to carry you. Can't you fly?"

Don't you know how exhausting flying is? My wings would be all droopy by the end of the day and I wouldn't be able to fly for help if we needed it. Besides, I only have tiny, itty bitty wings. Do you know how much flapping that means?

"I'm walking. I'm not that fast. Won't it be easier than scrambling to keep up with your short little legs?"

Ugh fine! But if I fall you had better catch me. Do you have any more food? I'll need it if I'm going to make the trip.

"Just quit your whining and I'll give you some berries."

We made it to the edge of the desert that day. As long as I kept feeding Scym often enough, he kept decently quiet. The heat got more intense the closer we got to the desert. I had no idea where I wanted to go after I crossed the desert. I could carry on through the Tallio mountains and try to return Scymitar to his family. If he has any.

"So do you breathe fire?" I asked the little dragon as I picked berries from a bush for the thousandth time that day. I handed him the berries as he answered my question.

Do I breathe fire , he asks. I'm a dragon! Of course I breathe fire. He boasted. All dragons breathe fire. But tallio dragons, we, we are the cream of the crop. OH, yes! See where normal dragons only breathe one substance, we breathe fire and a substance of our very own! We breathe two things!

"Then why aren't you setting fire to the logs that I got for the fire?"

Why would I do that?

"Well if I get sick, I can't get you food, can I?"

Scymitar looked genuinely shocked and quickly lit the fire with a single breath of fire.

"Impressive," I smiled. "But just remember that if I go, so does the food."

He nodded enthusiastically, his eyes wide. His little tail wagged back and forth just as enthusiastically.

So where are you headed?

"Somewhere north. Not completely sure yet."

Where is north? I've never been anywhere. All I remember is waking up to some noise. And then seeing you.

I kinda felt bad for the little guy. I know what it's like to not understand what is going on. I pointed towards the desert. His eyes widened.

We're going in there? It looks so...lonely.

"It's also very dangerous. It's very hard to find food and water in the desert. I need you to promise me something."

What? It snapped.

"Promise me that you won't control my mind when we're in the desert. I can't be your human slave. I'd rather just give you the food. You could just ask, you know."

Ok, I promise. Scymitar said sincerely.

"Thanks. I think we could become very good friends, you and I."

Sure. Whatever.

And with that the little dragon turned away from me and fell asleep. I laid on my back and watched the stars until I drifted off to sleep.

***

I had promised the human that I wouldn't get him to give me more food. But I just couldn't help myself. After four days into the desert I just had to have more food. So early that morning when his mind was loose, I crept into his thoughts and got him to give me some more food. And some water too. I was parched. I did make sure we kept moving so he wouldn't get as suspicious. On the horizon that morning, I saw a copse of trees. I figured that's where we were headed.

We were about an hour or two more to the desert when I noticed that the human was struggling. Its mind kept swirling around and felt very light. It was also very confusing. At first I thought I was losing my grip on its mind. I kept it heading towards the trees. It was nice not having to walk. I just sat on its shoulder and enjoyed the ride. The only problem was the heat. So I made sure to drink lots of water.

We were getting closer to the trees but I realized that the human was going slower and slower. I thought it was just tired. It could rest when we got there. So I urged the human on. I had a drink of water from the handy flask in the human's pack. I was about to have another sip but I realized it was empty. Oh well. I'm sure there's water by the trees.

I tried to urge the human on faster when I felt its mind go fuzzy. It went in and out of focus and then suddenly went black. I felt the world tilt and the human collapsed. I hovered in the air flapping my wings. What had I done? I had killed my food source!