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tamingthemuseI'm really not happy with anything I'm writing lately. I wrote this just to be writing at all. I don't think there's much of a plot in this one, but that's what happens when you've got no inspiration.
Title: Dragon's Breath
Fandom: Original
Prompt: Keckle
Warnings: none
Rating: G
Summary: What to do with a dragon that thinks it’s a dog? And because I could: Nizar means little; Rahim means kind, compassionate
He should have paid more attention to the wet grass, Rahim though as he picked himself up from the bottom of the short drop. Mud and grass splattered his clothes and the tinge in his leg told him he’d injured his ankle again. He eyed the mess of a cliff he had rolled down with a critical eye.
There was no way he was getting back up that watery slope. Sighing, Rahim knew the only way back was around. He really wasn’t looking forward to it, knowing that this direction led to the river, which was sure to be swollen in this rain. He found a long stick sturdy enough to hold his weight and pushed onward.
Two days’ hard journey had brought him to this point. Somewhere near here was an ancient alter, dedicated to his people’s ancient gods. If his memory served him, it was made of a white stone, large and flat, nearly growing from the ground itself. Trees had grown up around it, twisted with the sacred presence. He hadn’t been there in ages, but his grandfather had drawn him a map of charcoal on skin. The rain and mud had seen to it that the map was useless. He wiped a hand over his brow, spreading the mud further, and tried to take stalk of his surroundings.
Maybe that huge rock looked familiar. So too did that old gnarly elm. Perhaps he hadn’t fallen too far off track, he thought, walking to the scant shelter the tree offered from the pouring rain. He pulled out the map, hoping for something, as he turned it around in his hands several times. His thumb wiped at a smear of mud and the charcoal under it smudged. He cursed, smashing the map in his hands.
That smear had looked like a cave, before it was only a smear. He looked around himself at the dark shapes and darker shadow before him. It was hard to make out anything in this rain, but if there was a cave nearby, it had to be better than standing under a tree. He shoved the map into his belt and moved on, carefully watching his steps.
His walking stick caught on some mud and he went sprawling as his ankle gave way under his full weight. He slid down yet another incline and spat out a mouthful of mud. He looked up at the way he’d fallen and realized that he was looking into the mouth of a cave.
Cursing the rain, he pulled himself upright and fought his way up the slope, using fistfuls of grass as leverage. The cave was hidden by tall grasses and was just tall enough to let him duck through. Thankfully, it was dry.
Even darker than outside, the cave held a rank smell, like something rotting. Wrinkling his nose, he wondered if he’d stumbled onto a bear’s cave. He sniffed, but could smell nothing but the rotting smell. As he walked forward, he fumbled in his pack for his light maker.
His foot hit something mushy that gave way under the pressure. He paused and created a halo of light around him with the light maker.
Before him lay a body of a dragon.
He gaped, nonplused. He had never seen a dragon himself, as rare as they were becoming. Long ago, his father’s people had legends about how they lived with dragons, but they were stories told by the elderly to children who had time to listen.
Rahim bowed his head and said a silent prayer for the dead dragon and began to back out of the cave. A movement near the dragon’s front made him pause, the light held high.
It was an egg, hatching.
Eyes wide, Rahim watched as the egg cracked and a little reptilian head pushed its way through. He lifted the light higher and smiled when twin spots of yellow were reflected back at him. Heavy, wet wings flapped uselessly to help it keep its balance as if fought its way out of its shell.
“Hello, little one.”
At the sound of his voice, the baby dragon seemed to focus in on him, its tiny body pausing as the large yellow eyes blinked up at him.
Rahim crept closer and the little dragonlet opened its mouth to him, emitting a soft call, not unlike a hiss. As he stepped over the dragon’s corpse, he felt a wave of compassion for the orphaned babe. He reached out and helped the creature from the rest of its egg and held it aloft. It couldn’t stand in his hands, its legs too weak to hold it, so Rahim held it tenderly at eye level.
The tiny lizard fit in his palms, its body radiating heat not unlike a newborn human baby. Its scales were nearly nonexistent, its body smooth and soft. Tiny teeth lined its pink mouth and an even pinker tongue flicked out at him, tasting his lips.
Rahim laughed, holding the dragonlet close. He really hadn’t known dragons were born so small. Its body was red, making him think that the little one was going to be just as red fully grown.
Moving slowly so not to jar the little one, he pulled out his overcoat and wrapped it in the green cloth.
“Let’s get you out of here, hum?”
He gave the adult dragon’s body one final glance and silent thank you. Not even the steady rain could dampen his spirits.
Nine years later.
Rahim returned home to find the place empty. The field before the house was uncut and weeds were stretching their fingers up the peeling walls of the house. The stables had a caved in roof and the hay was wet. The house itself was in dire need of a fresh coat of whitewash.
Rahim frowned. There should have been a man and his wife here to care for the grounds and house. He’d paid them well. His gut clenched in anxiety.
Dismounting, he let the horse lower its head to nibble at the grass and walked up the creaking stairs to the front door. His boots made loud thumbs on the weathered wood. He dumped his pack just inside the door and gazed about in the semidarkness.
He wrinkled his nose at the amount of dust. Then he smiled as he noticed the trial that led up the stairs. He followed it up, then into his own suite of rooms. The door was wide open and he entered the first room. The main antechamber was empty and still in the late afternoon light, dust motes dancing in the air.
In the second room he found his query. He leaned against the doorframe and folded his arms over his chest as he gazed at the massive red dragon slumbering on his bed. He had grown, Rahim noted, in the four years since he’d been off to war. He didn’t look terribly heathy either. His scales had lost their shine and his ribs were clearly visible through his scales. Bones of small animals were piled up in a corner and dried blood marred the dust on the floor.
Stepping around the mess, Rahim reached the sleeping dragon and touched a hand to his warm body. One yellow eye opened and swivelled back to look at him with a tired glaze to it. Rahim smiled.
“If I were a knight come to slay me a dragon, you’d be right dead.”
The dragon then seemed to realize who was bent over him as he shot upright, its gracefully long muzzle coming forward to bump noses with his human. One wing arched out to engulf him. Rahim laughed and returned the awkward hug before pushing the heated body away from him before he became too overheated.
“Hello, Nizar, my little one.”
The dragon’s tongue flicked out to taste Rahim’s skin. Still smiling, Rahim patted his dragon’s head, very glad to be reunited.
After their greeting, Rahim sighed and caught the dragon’s head firmly in his grasp, making the yellow eyes focus on him.
“What did you do with the groundskeeper and his wife?”
The dragon tilted his head then stood from the bed, padding out of the room with soft clicks as his nails hit the floor. Rahim followed him down the hall to his study, an old guest room redesigned. His desk still stood butted against a wall, albeit covered in several layers of dust. Nizar crouched before the desk and Rahim walked around the desk and dragon to settle into his old creaky chair with a groan.
It was good to be off his feet.
On the center of the desk was a faded letter, poorly written from the groundskeeper. The short of it was that they didn’t fancy being servants to a dragon. Rahim put down the letter and eyed his overly large dragon that thought it was a dog.
“It seems, Nizar, that you were too much for them.” He crumpled the paper and threw it over his shoulder. Well, it was just as well, he thought. Still, he needed people to help with the upkeep of the house. As large as it was, it was too much for just one man. “I suppose I’ll have to find people to replace them. A few men to take charge of the lawns. And a housekeeper.” He eyed the dust gathered on his shirt. “And maids.” He leaned back in his chair and folded his arms over his head. “We’ll go to the village in the morn.”
At that, the dragon came around the desk to gaze solemnly up at him through those yellow eyes that seemed to gleam in the late light. He put one clawed foot on Rahim’s knee.
Rahim smiled fondly. “I won’t leave you behind, never fear. I’m home to stay.”
Snorting a cloud of smoke, Nizar turned away, but sat beside him, his body leaning heavily against Rahim’s knee. Rahim reached out and stroked the smooth red scales on the dragon’s head.
Rahim’s eyes grew heavy after being on the road for the last week. It was good to be home, he thought with a tired yawn. Even if there was nobody here to greet him save for an overgrown lapdog and a million and one things to fix. Still, it was home, his home. He was glad to be there.
The next thing he knew the dragon was crawling onto his lap. Startled awake, he reacted without thinking, his hands shot out and grasped Nizar harshly by his throat. Breathing heavily, his mind slowly woke up and he forced his hands to relax. The dragon calmly looked at him, smoke trailing out of his nostrils in thin lines.
Rahim had been too long at war, he realized. It was good there was nobody else here to greet him. What kind of family man would he make, he wondered as he hugged the dragon to him.
Nizar’s tether was found outside, buried in the dirt. The rope was old and stretched. He pulled it up, wrapping it around his arm as he did so. When Nizar realized what it was he held in his hands, the dragon pulled away, staying near enough to keep his eyes on Rahim.
Rahim smiled. “You’re not going to be getting far.”
The dragon snorted a could of smoke.
As much as he fussed, Rahim knew that the dragon wasn’t going anywhere. He was careful to keep Rahim well within sight, never leaving his presence.
Rahim walked into the stables. One of the first things he was going to have to see to was new hay for the stables. His horse was not at all happy with staying out in the field, although he must love the warm weather.
Their travels during the war had lead them to the coldest parts of the country. Never before had Rahim been glad to be born in the wonderfully warm region. He whistled at his stallion and received a nicker in return. He found the old tools and searched out more rope.
Moths and other creatures had found the rope, eating away at the threads. Rahim sighed and gathered it all up. He went back out into the sunshine and sat in the dirt. Immediately Nizar was at his side, sniffing the rope. Rahim pushed him away, but it was hard to make a creature heavier than oneself move when he was unwilling to move.
Rahim picked up a part of the thatch from the roof of the stable and threw it as far as he could. Nizar jumped up and took off after the target. He caught it up, throwing it up into the air. Once airborne, Nizar set fire to the makeshift toy.
As he played, Rahim began to keckle the rope, making the weaker ropes stronger. They wouldn’t last long against a dragon hellbent on escape, but they would last until they reached the village.
Once finished, he looped the end, making a harness.
Grinning, he pounced on Nizar, tackling him into submission. Within moments, after falling from several feet off the ground due to the fire breather taking into air, Rahim had the dragon leashed.
Panting, Rahim patted the dragon. “You, little one, are getting too big for me to do that to, aren’t you?” Nizar huffed smoke into Rahim’s face.
Winter was setting in, slowly bringing a cold breeze into their secluded part of the world. As the nights got colder, Nizar made himself at home in Rahim’s bed. Well, it had always been Nizar’s bed, but Rahim kicked him out when he moved back in. The days were spent repairing the house and stable. Two men were hired to care for the lawns and hunt while Rahim focused on the house. Nizar hovered nearby at all times, always underfoot.
After shoving him away for the umpteenth time, Rahim decided that it was time for a break. He took Nizar to the stream several lengths away and spent a happy hour playing chase in the cool water. It wasn’t until he was pulling his shirt back on that he realized the dragon was gazing off into the foliage, his eyes intent.
Rahim followed his gaze, seeing nothing. He crouched down and draped an arm around the dragon.
“What do you see, little one?”
Nizar stood, leaning heavy against Rahim’s side.
“All right, let’s get back home.”
They walked together, waving at the new groundskeeper as they passed. Nizar refused to move far, making Rahim stumble over him several times.
“Nizar, please. There’s nobody following us. Quite looking back, or get out of my way.”
Nizar glared up at him, then sat right on his foot, tripping him up. Pushing himself up, Rahim cupped his chin in his palm and returned the dragon’s glare. Nizar leaned in close, then snorted, sending up a cloud of dust. Rahim coughed and sat on his knees.
“What’s the matter, boy? You’ve been attached at my hip all day.”
Suddenly the air rung out with the sound of horse hooves on the dirt path coming from the direction they had just returned from. Rahim stood and dusted off his pants as Nizar moved to stand in front of him, soft growls coming from his throat. Shivers ran up his back. Rahim had never heard Nizar make that sound before and it scared him. His hands went to the rope he kept with him at all times, the one he had forgotten to get replace. He pulled it over the dragon’s head, and Nizar shook his head wildly, fighting the restraint.
“What’s the matter? It’s only a horseman.”
Just then the horseman came into view and gave Rahim pause. He dismounted before them, standing clear of the dragon’s reach. Rahim exerted extra force in hold Nizar back and he could feel the pressure the dragon was putting on the old rope. Still did Nizar continue to growl.
“Sir,” the horseman said, touching his fingers to the emblem on his shoulder marking him a king’s man. Rahim nodded once in greeting. “The king has ordered your return to the southland.”
“The war’s over.”
The man nodded but took several steps back as Nizar’s growl became a hiss, his tongue flicking out and mouth opened to show off dangerous teeth. His muscles under his scales flexed and he stretched his wings, nearly knocking Rahim in the face.
“I k-know, sir, but His Highness has heard that you have a dragon. He commands you to bring the beast and put the fear of dragons into his enemies.”
Rahim frowned. “He’s just a kit.”
“I’m j-just delivering the message, sir. King’s command.”
Rahim then focused on holding back the dragon now puffing out smoke from his nostrils. He grinned. “I don’t think Nizar thinks it’s a good idea.”
“H-he can understand our language?”
“Of course, he can. He’s a dragon, not a dog.”
The horseman nodded then backed up onto his horse. “The king says to report to the southland by the start of the wet season.” He nodded and turned his horse away.
Rahim felt the rope strain as Nizar’s wings flapped, his feet leaving the ground.
“Nizar, stop. He’s only the messenger.”
Nizar snapped his head around to glare at him, the yellow eyes full of anxiety, such a human emotion that it threw Rahim. He knelt and wrapped his arms around the dragon’s neck. “What’s gotten into you? You’re being a brat.”
Nizar butted his head against Rahim’s, his hissing subdued. He laughed. “It’s just as well that the king ordered you to accompany me, hum?” Nizar pressed closer, growling as he buried his face in Rahim’s shoulder.
Rahim slammed the door to his own private suite in the king’s palace. He threw his letters onto the table and stormed into his bedroom. He sat on the bed and fought with the latches of his boots before kicking them off and into a corner. He laid back on the bed, tossing his arm over his head.
Moments later, he felt an overbearing heat settle beside him and a tongue tickle his exposed cheek.
“Leave me be, Nizar,” he mumbled.
Instead of obeying, the red dragon pressed closer, nudging his arm. Rahim lowered his arm to glare at the offending creature. Nizar gave him the dragon’s version of a smile and flicked his serpent’s tongue out at him.
“The king insulted you. He called you worthless. Be angry.”
Another flick of his tongue.
Rahim frowned at the strangely happy dragon. He sat up and patted Nizar’s head. “I suppose you’re happy that you’re useless and get to go home.” Nizar jumped up and made the bed bounce. Rahim caught himself before he fell and stood.
The was food laid out on the table, so Rahim guessed that Nizar had made himself scarce when the maid had come in. He sat at the table and fed Nizar part of the meal.
When a knock came to the door, Nizar whipped his head around, a loud hiss coming from between exposed teeth. Rahim gave him a glare before opening the door.
There, holding a trey of more food, stood a young woman. When Rahim opened the door, her eyes went to his for only a second before shooting across the room to Nizar. A grin nearly split her face in two. She shoved the trey into Rahim’s hands.
“It’s true! You do have a dragon.” She pushed her way into the room, walking right up to Nizar. Rahim opened his mouth to warn her, but as she approached Nizar, the hissing stopped and the dragon blinked at the woman in confusion.
She reached out and petted his brow ridge. “Oh, your scales are so smooth and warm. Do you breath fire, then? Oh, but you must!” Her fingers found their way under his chin and, like the overgrown dog he was, Nizar tilted his head to one side to encourage her to continue.
“Can we help you?” Rahim finally said, trying to catch her attention.
The woman started and turned to him. “Oh!” She blushed, turning scarlet. “I’m so sorry, my lord. It’s just that, when I heard you had a dragon here, I couldn’t hold myself back. I just had to see him for myself.” Suddenly she frowned, concern gracing her fine features. “You’re not angry, are you?”
He set the trey aside and held out a hand to pull her to her feet. “Anybody who’s not afraid of Nizar’s hiss is welcome. Besides, it seems to me that he approves of your presence as well.”
At her side, the dragon had begun leaning against her, his head trying to make her hand return to its earlier petting. She laughed. “I’m so glad the king decided to let the war be over. He’s far to gentle to be embroiled in war. How old is he? Do you know?”
“Nearly ten years.”
“Well, he’s still just a baby!” She knelt again, wrapping her arms around the dragon. Nizar spread his wings, one bending to engulf the girl. Rahim arched one brow as he watched the dragon flirt with the girl. One yellow eye popped open and caught him staring.
Nizar pulled away, circling the girl and coming up behind Rahim. He sat up on his hind feet and pressed his front feet against Rahim’s back, sending him stumbling forward, into the girl. They went down into a tangle of skirts and arms.
“I’m so sorry,” Rahim said. Then he paused to stare into her eyes. He hadn’t realized just how bright of a green they were. She was very beautiful, he thought. And if the way her eyes were roaming his face was any indication, she found him attractive as well. Beside them, Nizar pressed his body close, his muzzle touching both of their cheeks, heating them with his breath. Rahim glanced at the dragon and could clearly read the thoughts therein.
It seemed that their little family was going to grow, Rahim thought with a smile.
Title: Dragon's Breath
Fandom: Original
Prompt: Keckle
Warnings: none
Rating: G
Summary: What to do with a dragon that thinks it’s a dog? And because I could: Nizar means little; Rahim means kind, compassionate
He should have paid more attention to the wet grass, Rahim though as he picked himself up from the bottom of the short drop. Mud and grass splattered his clothes and the tinge in his leg told him he’d injured his ankle again. He eyed the mess of a cliff he had rolled down with a critical eye.
There was no way he was getting back up that watery slope. Sighing, Rahim knew the only way back was around. He really wasn’t looking forward to it, knowing that this direction led to the river, which was sure to be swollen in this rain. He found a long stick sturdy enough to hold his weight and pushed onward.
Two days’ hard journey had brought him to this point. Somewhere near here was an ancient alter, dedicated to his people’s ancient gods. If his memory served him, it was made of a white stone, large and flat, nearly growing from the ground itself. Trees had grown up around it, twisted with the sacred presence. He hadn’t been there in ages, but his grandfather had drawn him a map of charcoal on skin. The rain and mud had seen to it that the map was useless. He wiped a hand over his brow, spreading the mud further, and tried to take stalk of his surroundings.
Maybe that huge rock looked familiar. So too did that old gnarly elm. Perhaps he hadn’t fallen too far off track, he thought, walking to the scant shelter the tree offered from the pouring rain. He pulled out the map, hoping for something, as he turned it around in his hands several times. His thumb wiped at a smear of mud and the charcoal under it smudged. He cursed, smashing the map in his hands.
That smear had looked like a cave, before it was only a smear. He looked around himself at the dark shapes and darker shadow before him. It was hard to make out anything in this rain, but if there was a cave nearby, it had to be better than standing under a tree. He shoved the map into his belt and moved on, carefully watching his steps.
His walking stick caught on some mud and he went sprawling as his ankle gave way under his full weight. He slid down yet another incline and spat out a mouthful of mud. He looked up at the way he’d fallen and realized that he was looking into the mouth of a cave.
Cursing the rain, he pulled himself upright and fought his way up the slope, using fistfuls of grass as leverage. The cave was hidden by tall grasses and was just tall enough to let him duck through. Thankfully, it was dry.
Even darker than outside, the cave held a rank smell, like something rotting. Wrinkling his nose, he wondered if he’d stumbled onto a bear’s cave. He sniffed, but could smell nothing but the rotting smell. As he walked forward, he fumbled in his pack for his light maker.
His foot hit something mushy that gave way under the pressure. He paused and created a halo of light around him with the light maker.
Before him lay a body of a dragon.
He gaped, nonplused. He had never seen a dragon himself, as rare as they were becoming. Long ago, his father’s people had legends about how they lived with dragons, but they were stories told by the elderly to children who had time to listen.
Rahim bowed his head and said a silent prayer for the dead dragon and began to back out of the cave. A movement near the dragon’s front made him pause, the light held high.
It was an egg, hatching.
Eyes wide, Rahim watched as the egg cracked and a little reptilian head pushed its way through. He lifted the light higher and smiled when twin spots of yellow were reflected back at him. Heavy, wet wings flapped uselessly to help it keep its balance as if fought its way out of its shell.
“Hello, little one.”
At the sound of his voice, the baby dragon seemed to focus in on him, its tiny body pausing as the large yellow eyes blinked up at him.
Rahim crept closer and the little dragonlet opened its mouth to him, emitting a soft call, not unlike a hiss. As he stepped over the dragon’s corpse, he felt a wave of compassion for the orphaned babe. He reached out and helped the creature from the rest of its egg and held it aloft. It couldn’t stand in his hands, its legs too weak to hold it, so Rahim held it tenderly at eye level.
The tiny lizard fit in his palms, its body radiating heat not unlike a newborn human baby. Its scales were nearly nonexistent, its body smooth and soft. Tiny teeth lined its pink mouth and an even pinker tongue flicked out at him, tasting his lips.
Rahim laughed, holding the dragonlet close. He really hadn’t known dragons were born so small. Its body was red, making him think that the little one was going to be just as red fully grown.
Moving slowly so not to jar the little one, he pulled out his overcoat and wrapped it in the green cloth.
“Let’s get you out of here, hum?”
He gave the adult dragon’s body one final glance and silent thank you. Not even the steady rain could dampen his spirits.
Nine years later.
Rahim returned home to find the place empty. The field before the house was uncut and weeds were stretching their fingers up the peeling walls of the house. The stables had a caved in roof and the hay was wet. The house itself was in dire need of a fresh coat of whitewash.
Rahim frowned. There should have been a man and his wife here to care for the grounds and house. He’d paid them well. His gut clenched in anxiety.
Dismounting, he let the horse lower its head to nibble at the grass and walked up the creaking stairs to the front door. His boots made loud thumbs on the weathered wood. He dumped his pack just inside the door and gazed about in the semidarkness.
He wrinkled his nose at the amount of dust. Then he smiled as he noticed the trial that led up the stairs. He followed it up, then into his own suite of rooms. The door was wide open and he entered the first room. The main antechamber was empty and still in the late afternoon light, dust motes dancing in the air.
In the second room he found his query. He leaned against the doorframe and folded his arms over his chest as he gazed at the massive red dragon slumbering on his bed. He had grown, Rahim noted, in the four years since he’d been off to war. He didn’t look terribly heathy either. His scales had lost their shine and his ribs were clearly visible through his scales. Bones of small animals were piled up in a corner and dried blood marred the dust on the floor.
Stepping around the mess, Rahim reached the sleeping dragon and touched a hand to his warm body. One yellow eye opened and swivelled back to look at him with a tired glaze to it. Rahim smiled.
“If I were a knight come to slay me a dragon, you’d be right dead.”
The dragon then seemed to realize who was bent over him as he shot upright, its gracefully long muzzle coming forward to bump noses with his human. One wing arched out to engulf him. Rahim laughed and returned the awkward hug before pushing the heated body away from him before he became too overheated.
“Hello, Nizar, my little one.”
The dragon’s tongue flicked out to taste Rahim’s skin. Still smiling, Rahim patted his dragon’s head, very glad to be reunited.
After their greeting, Rahim sighed and caught the dragon’s head firmly in his grasp, making the yellow eyes focus on him.
“What did you do with the groundskeeper and his wife?”
The dragon tilted his head then stood from the bed, padding out of the room with soft clicks as his nails hit the floor. Rahim followed him down the hall to his study, an old guest room redesigned. His desk still stood butted against a wall, albeit covered in several layers of dust. Nizar crouched before the desk and Rahim walked around the desk and dragon to settle into his old creaky chair with a groan.
It was good to be off his feet.
On the center of the desk was a faded letter, poorly written from the groundskeeper. The short of it was that they didn’t fancy being servants to a dragon. Rahim put down the letter and eyed his overly large dragon that thought it was a dog.
“It seems, Nizar, that you were too much for them.” He crumpled the paper and threw it over his shoulder. Well, it was just as well, he thought. Still, he needed people to help with the upkeep of the house. As large as it was, it was too much for just one man. “I suppose I’ll have to find people to replace them. A few men to take charge of the lawns. And a housekeeper.” He eyed the dust gathered on his shirt. “And maids.” He leaned back in his chair and folded his arms over his head. “We’ll go to the village in the morn.”
At that, the dragon came around the desk to gaze solemnly up at him through those yellow eyes that seemed to gleam in the late light. He put one clawed foot on Rahim’s knee.
Rahim smiled fondly. “I won’t leave you behind, never fear. I’m home to stay.”
Snorting a cloud of smoke, Nizar turned away, but sat beside him, his body leaning heavily against Rahim’s knee. Rahim reached out and stroked the smooth red scales on the dragon’s head.
Rahim’s eyes grew heavy after being on the road for the last week. It was good to be home, he thought with a tired yawn. Even if there was nobody here to greet him save for an overgrown lapdog and a million and one things to fix. Still, it was home, his home. He was glad to be there.
The next thing he knew the dragon was crawling onto his lap. Startled awake, he reacted without thinking, his hands shot out and grasped Nizar harshly by his throat. Breathing heavily, his mind slowly woke up and he forced his hands to relax. The dragon calmly looked at him, smoke trailing out of his nostrils in thin lines.
Rahim had been too long at war, he realized. It was good there was nobody else here to greet him. What kind of family man would he make, he wondered as he hugged the dragon to him.
Nizar’s tether was found outside, buried in the dirt. The rope was old and stretched. He pulled it up, wrapping it around his arm as he did so. When Nizar realized what it was he held in his hands, the dragon pulled away, staying near enough to keep his eyes on Rahim.
Rahim smiled. “You’re not going to be getting far.”
The dragon snorted a could of smoke.
As much as he fussed, Rahim knew that the dragon wasn’t going anywhere. He was careful to keep Rahim well within sight, never leaving his presence.
Rahim walked into the stables. One of the first things he was going to have to see to was new hay for the stables. His horse was not at all happy with staying out in the field, although he must love the warm weather.
Their travels during the war had lead them to the coldest parts of the country. Never before had Rahim been glad to be born in the wonderfully warm region. He whistled at his stallion and received a nicker in return. He found the old tools and searched out more rope.
Moths and other creatures had found the rope, eating away at the threads. Rahim sighed and gathered it all up. He went back out into the sunshine and sat in the dirt. Immediately Nizar was at his side, sniffing the rope. Rahim pushed him away, but it was hard to make a creature heavier than oneself move when he was unwilling to move.
Rahim picked up a part of the thatch from the roof of the stable and threw it as far as he could. Nizar jumped up and took off after the target. He caught it up, throwing it up into the air. Once airborne, Nizar set fire to the makeshift toy.
As he played, Rahim began to keckle the rope, making the weaker ropes stronger. They wouldn’t last long against a dragon hellbent on escape, but they would last until they reached the village.
Once finished, he looped the end, making a harness.
Grinning, he pounced on Nizar, tackling him into submission. Within moments, after falling from several feet off the ground due to the fire breather taking into air, Rahim had the dragon leashed.
Panting, Rahim patted the dragon. “You, little one, are getting too big for me to do that to, aren’t you?” Nizar huffed smoke into Rahim’s face.
Winter was setting in, slowly bringing a cold breeze into their secluded part of the world. As the nights got colder, Nizar made himself at home in Rahim’s bed. Well, it had always been Nizar’s bed, but Rahim kicked him out when he moved back in. The days were spent repairing the house and stable. Two men were hired to care for the lawns and hunt while Rahim focused on the house. Nizar hovered nearby at all times, always underfoot.
After shoving him away for the umpteenth time, Rahim decided that it was time for a break. He took Nizar to the stream several lengths away and spent a happy hour playing chase in the cool water. It wasn’t until he was pulling his shirt back on that he realized the dragon was gazing off into the foliage, his eyes intent.
Rahim followed his gaze, seeing nothing. He crouched down and draped an arm around the dragon.
“What do you see, little one?”
Nizar stood, leaning heavy against Rahim’s side.
“All right, let’s get back home.”
They walked together, waving at the new groundskeeper as they passed. Nizar refused to move far, making Rahim stumble over him several times.
“Nizar, please. There’s nobody following us. Quite looking back, or get out of my way.”
Nizar glared up at him, then sat right on his foot, tripping him up. Pushing himself up, Rahim cupped his chin in his palm and returned the dragon’s glare. Nizar leaned in close, then snorted, sending up a cloud of dust. Rahim coughed and sat on his knees.
“What’s the matter, boy? You’ve been attached at my hip all day.”
Suddenly the air rung out with the sound of horse hooves on the dirt path coming from the direction they had just returned from. Rahim stood and dusted off his pants as Nizar moved to stand in front of him, soft growls coming from his throat. Shivers ran up his back. Rahim had never heard Nizar make that sound before and it scared him. His hands went to the rope he kept with him at all times, the one he had forgotten to get replace. He pulled it over the dragon’s head, and Nizar shook his head wildly, fighting the restraint.
“What’s the matter? It’s only a horseman.”
Just then the horseman came into view and gave Rahim pause. He dismounted before them, standing clear of the dragon’s reach. Rahim exerted extra force in hold Nizar back and he could feel the pressure the dragon was putting on the old rope. Still did Nizar continue to growl.
“Sir,” the horseman said, touching his fingers to the emblem on his shoulder marking him a king’s man. Rahim nodded once in greeting. “The king has ordered your return to the southland.”
“The war’s over.”
The man nodded but took several steps back as Nizar’s growl became a hiss, his tongue flicking out and mouth opened to show off dangerous teeth. His muscles under his scales flexed and he stretched his wings, nearly knocking Rahim in the face.
“I k-know, sir, but His Highness has heard that you have a dragon. He commands you to bring the beast and put the fear of dragons into his enemies.”
Rahim frowned. “He’s just a kit.”
“I’m j-just delivering the message, sir. King’s command.”
Rahim then focused on holding back the dragon now puffing out smoke from his nostrils. He grinned. “I don’t think Nizar thinks it’s a good idea.”
“H-he can understand our language?”
“Of course, he can. He’s a dragon, not a dog.”
The horseman nodded then backed up onto his horse. “The king says to report to the southland by the start of the wet season.” He nodded and turned his horse away.
Rahim felt the rope strain as Nizar’s wings flapped, his feet leaving the ground.
“Nizar, stop. He’s only the messenger.”
Nizar snapped his head around to glare at him, the yellow eyes full of anxiety, such a human emotion that it threw Rahim. He knelt and wrapped his arms around the dragon’s neck. “What’s gotten into you? You’re being a brat.”
Nizar butted his head against Rahim’s, his hissing subdued. He laughed. “It’s just as well that the king ordered you to accompany me, hum?” Nizar pressed closer, growling as he buried his face in Rahim’s shoulder.
Rahim slammed the door to his own private suite in the king’s palace. He threw his letters onto the table and stormed into his bedroom. He sat on the bed and fought with the latches of his boots before kicking them off and into a corner. He laid back on the bed, tossing his arm over his head.
Moments later, he felt an overbearing heat settle beside him and a tongue tickle his exposed cheek.
“Leave me be, Nizar,” he mumbled.
Instead of obeying, the red dragon pressed closer, nudging his arm. Rahim lowered his arm to glare at the offending creature. Nizar gave him the dragon’s version of a smile and flicked his serpent’s tongue out at him.
“The king insulted you. He called you worthless. Be angry.”
Another flick of his tongue.
Rahim frowned at the strangely happy dragon. He sat up and patted Nizar’s head. “I suppose you’re happy that you’re useless and get to go home.” Nizar jumped up and made the bed bounce. Rahim caught himself before he fell and stood.
The was food laid out on the table, so Rahim guessed that Nizar had made himself scarce when the maid had come in. He sat at the table and fed Nizar part of the meal.
When a knock came to the door, Nizar whipped his head around, a loud hiss coming from between exposed teeth. Rahim gave him a glare before opening the door.
There, holding a trey of more food, stood a young woman. When Rahim opened the door, her eyes went to his for only a second before shooting across the room to Nizar. A grin nearly split her face in two. She shoved the trey into Rahim’s hands.
“It’s true! You do have a dragon.” She pushed her way into the room, walking right up to Nizar. Rahim opened his mouth to warn her, but as she approached Nizar, the hissing stopped and the dragon blinked at the woman in confusion.
She reached out and petted his brow ridge. “Oh, your scales are so smooth and warm. Do you breath fire, then? Oh, but you must!” Her fingers found their way under his chin and, like the overgrown dog he was, Nizar tilted his head to one side to encourage her to continue.
“Can we help you?” Rahim finally said, trying to catch her attention.
The woman started and turned to him. “Oh!” She blushed, turning scarlet. “I’m so sorry, my lord. It’s just that, when I heard you had a dragon here, I couldn’t hold myself back. I just had to see him for myself.” Suddenly she frowned, concern gracing her fine features. “You’re not angry, are you?”
He set the trey aside and held out a hand to pull her to her feet. “Anybody who’s not afraid of Nizar’s hiss is welcome. Besides, it seems to me that he approves of your presence as well.”
At her side, the dragon had begun leaning against her, his head trying to make her hand return to its earlier petting. She laughed. “I’m so glad the king decided to let the war be over. He’s far to gentle to be embroiled in war. How old is he? Do you know?”
“Nearly ten years.”
“Well, he’s still just a baby!” She knelt again, wrapping her arms around the dragon. Nizar spread his wings, one bending to engulf the girl. Rahim arched one brow as he watched the dragon flirt with the girl. One yellow eye popped open and caught him staring.
Nizar pulled away, circling the girl and coming up behind Rahim. He sat up on his hind feet and pressed his front feet against Rahim’s back, sending him stumbling forward, into the girl. They went down into a tangle of skirts and arms.
“I’m so sorry,” Rahim said. Then he paused to stare into her eyes. He hadn’t realized just how bright of a green they were. She was very beautiful, he thought. And if the way her eyes were roaming his face was any indication, she found him attractive as well. Beside them, Nizar pressed his body close, his muzzle touching both of their cheeks, heating them with his breath. Rahim glanced at the dragon and could clearly read the thoughts therein.
It seemed that their little family was going to grow, Rahim thought with a smile.
