This next story, Gentle Readers, takes place in an unprosperous little village. In fact, it is the same village mentioned in the story about Agnes meeting a dragon, but taking place in an earlier time.

If I may, Dear Patient Readers, I would like to lay out a bit of exposition. I beg your indulgence once again as I meanders a bit from strict story-telling. Or perhaps this is an important part of story-telling. I shall leave it for you to judge.

We know that Ember and her Knight, after they had been friends for many years and only some years before his passing, embarked on a mission to help save dragon-kind from slow extinction. This story is a bit of that mission.

You are no doubt aware that dragons had been decimated by literal slaughter by sword. Dragons had also been decimated by unconcerned Magicians who battled each other for power and, in the process, drained the mana from entire regions. Dragons who wandered there grew suddenly ancient and fell apart, leaving only their bones… turned into stone. Ditto for other magical creatures.

The most ruthless Magicians sought out the lairs of the most ancient dragons, for they were loci of accumulated mana, like oil accumulates beneath certain geological features. They tapped those lairs when the owners were lured away, drained them and left them as deathtraps for the returning dragons.

They didn’t care. No men cared, for the hate had burned long between Man and Dragon. Thus it is that the meeting of Ember and the Knight is so important. It was an historic turning point. It was the beginning of new ways. The beginning of the ending of the hate.

One more word if I may… well, truthfully quite a few more… I did call them Magicians and they did practice the Arts. But… they were unto Magicians as Kings and other Rulers, too long on the throne, are to mankind. Having power, but unconcerned with the cost thereof, or with using power to benefit anyone, or anything, other than themselves.

Henceforth, when necessary, I shall employ some emphasis on the word ‘Magician’ so Gentle Readers will understand that it was used only by necessity and not because they earned the honor of the title. It only takes a few bad ones for people to learn to fear all Magicians, even Magicians who would benefit them if given the chance. Fortunately, times and people and dragons change, and so did Magicians. – The Scrivener

THE VILLAGE

Just on the edge of a remote village, Ember and her young friend June turned off the dirt road they were walking, to where an older man, perhaps in his sixties, was raking around in a small herb garden in front of his little house.

Though still a bit shy of her teens, June had become self-appointed de facto guide and assistant to Ember, who was learning her way about the village and surrounding farms. Ember’s Knight was gone away, scouting for other impoverished villages that might be interested in hosting a dragon that might help change their fortunes.

The man had seen them coming. As they came near, he didn’t bother to look up from his work, an act normally considered rude in that place and time. “What’re you doing here with that beast, June?”

“Don’t be rude, sir. She’s not a beast. Beasts don’t talk.”

“Eh, so they don’t.”

“I’ve come to make proper introductions.”

At that unexpected announcement, the man looked at them at last. “Wha?”

“Mister Grayson, I’d like to introduce you to Miss Ember. Miss Ember, this is Mister Grayson. Everyone just calls him Grumpy. And Miss Ember is, as you know, sir, a dragon and the newest member of our village… until Missus Ross drops her baby.”

“Pleased to meet you, Mister Grayson,” Ember said respectfully.

“Name’s Grumpy. Din’t ya hear?”

June smiled on them both. “You two have things to talk about. So… talk. Don’t mind me.”

“Mister Grayson…”

“Grumpy.”

“Oh… okay… Grumpy… You were at the meeting when the vote was held. I saw you. There where only white pebbles in the box. But you don’t like me. Why didn’t you speak? Or drop a dark stone? No one would know.”

“Hmph. Listen, beast…”

“GRUMPY!”

“Alright, June… alright. Listen… Miss Ember.”

“Just Ember, please?”

“Damn. Females won’t ever let a man speak his piece. Ember, then. See here… the issue was decided. Everyone else wants you to stay. I’m their neighbor. Part of this village. When we decide, we all stick with it. So… you’re staying…and that’s that.”

“But I know you’re not happy for me to be here.”

“What’s it to you?”

“I can’t stay if anyone wants me to go away. Even you.”

“Eh? Why not? You’re a dragon. You have power. You can do as you please.”

“But I can’t. Not when it involves these people. If my presence were to be spoken of…”

“Ya mean snitched?”

“…If word leaked out, there’d be trouble.”

“Is that a threat?”

“No… you misunderstand. Not a threat. It’s my fear. Others will come some day, seeking someone like me for nefarious purposes or to try to kill me. Villagers, my friends, might try to defend me and be hurt or killed. Outsiders who fear my kind might take revenge on the village for hiding me. There’d be… incidents. Farms and fields burned out. People harmed who tried to be my friend. People I’m promising to try to help. Now do you see?”

“You had my vote. What more d’you want?”

“Your friendship? Or the chance to earn it.”

“Your magic can force that on me.”

“Perhaps, but I won’t. All were warned. I’ve kept distance from everyone before now, so their decision was truly their own. No tricks. No magic. Some are asking to be nearer me, now. I guess being friends with a dragon seems good to them.”

“Huh. Their choice. Listen, I’ve heard your problem. Hear mine. My words were heard by all. So, if you leave, consequences fall on my head. I’d be shunned. A man may have but a few true friends but even those’d turn on me were I to send you off.”

“…I see.”

“Friendships must be earned. For that, there must be time. But a truce… we can strike that right now. I need you to stay and you need a place to stay. Your secret here is safe with me and my neighbors benefit. Do we have an accord?”

“Yes. I agree. Perhaps in time, we’ll forge something better between us.”

“I’m no magician. I don’t see the future. But I can see I’ve work to do before sunset and you’re burning my daylight.”

“Then we will be on our way. Thank you… Grumpy.”

“G’day to you, June…. Ember.”

TO BE CONTINUED