The captain gathered his men as she leapt into the air and came back for another pass. They stood ready, swords and arrows bristling. Their armor was weak and their weapons no match for her ancient hide, but they were ready to try. She flew straight for them, eyes gleaming purple and teeth dripping blood. A few, stout of heart, aimed their bows for her eyes. The arrows loosed at the same time as she did, a wave of black fire erupted, engulfing missiles and men alike. They roasted in their armor, screaming as one as they died.

Chaos descended at the sight of their leaders being burned alive. The entire camp was aflame, smoke and charred flesh filled the air. The dragon hunted down every living thing, roasting, ripping and crushing the life out of the army. She feasted on those that had survived the longest. Finished, she curled up amidst the fires to nap, lulled to sleep by the crackling flames.

A young girl watched from the tree line, stock-still for hours as the fires raged and died. One hand resting on a tree trunk, the other lose at her side. Her eyes wide and her lips parted, as though waiting to speak. Her nostrils were filled with smoke and death, and she inhaled deeply.

When the flames died, she stepped out, picking her way across the field to avoid the patches of embers. Testing each step, she found a path to the sleeping dragon. Climbing onto her tail, she walked the spine all the way up to her head, and curled up between her ears.

“Did you enjoy the show, little one?” The dragon’s voice whispered in her mind.
“Except the horses, they were too beautiful to deserve that.”

“They taste better than men, dear one.”

“I know, at least you didn’t eat them all.”

“Sleep now, we will have to leave soon.”

The cave smelled dank as she pressed into the blackness. Water dripped through the dark, making every surface slick. Her hands and feet were chilled, but she knew it was better than being outside. Winter had not released its grip and cold water was better than ice and snow, not to mention the bitter wind. Her pack dug into her shoulders, laden down with supplies from the city market. In better weather, she would have been home by now, not wandering around a cave looking for a dry spot to bed down for the night.

A noise pierced her thoughts, claws scrapping on rocks. Big claws. She pressed herself against the cave wall, peering uselessly into the black. A gust of warm air rushed down the passage, filling her nostrils with the scent of smoke and rotted flesh. She trembled, sinking to the floor in a little ball, wishing she could turn herself invisible. Another burst of hot air and then the scraping became distinguishable footsteps. Claws clacking on rock and heavy vibrations in the floor.

She put her head between bent knees and wrapped her arms defensively above it. Barely daring to breathe, she waited as it grew closer. She felt its presence, waves of malice and hunger rolled over her.

When it reached her, it paused and her whole world stood still. She tensed every muscle and waited for fiery death. It did not come. Her fear held tight, but her life continued, and she grew curious. When she could bear it no longer, she raised her head. One glowing purple eye stared at her.

She yelped and dropped her head, but still no fire came. She looked up again and the eye was still there, considering her. She unfolded her legs and stood up. Very slowly. The eye did not so much as blink. All reason told her to run before it killed her, but some small voice said that staying put was the only way to live.