Silver Dragon Breath - fantasy writings by Syrobe and members.

    It has been some time since I've last left my lair. I crouched amongst my treasure with much contempt. Breathing slowly, steadily, I managed to lift a single eyelid to survey my surroundings, the thin membrane revealing my jeweled silver eye. The treasure, my treasure, stacked high and spread out before me like a living, sparkling creature. I need not see more. I close my eye.
    The air was stale and cold, it was approaching winter. I did not mind the winter. I have come to keep the cold close to me like a long lost friend. The closeness of the cavern walls did nothing to ease the feeling, this feeling of overwhelming loss. Shifting my weight, I resettle myself atop my gold. Several coins and gems tumble from their resting place as I move, making sweet chiming sounds as they cascade around me. I sigh wearily at the music.
    Faint shouting awakens me from my reverie. Knowing I could not afford to ignore it, I slowly lift my head. Whatever the sound, it came from afar, outside no doubt. I strain my old ears to overhear the voices, which I find to be human, maybe elf. They sounded angry, or perhaps anxious.
    I sigh again, and feel my pain again as I turn my sight to my left and along the wall. Another mound of treasure stacked near me in the direction of my mate's bed. I feel my face tense and my eyes warm up as I fight to keep from weeping for her. She had passed away not long ago, slain by humans. It is strange, I tell myself sometimes, how I fail to loathe a creature who has wronged me so. I can feel no hatred. I can feel nothing but sorrow at the moment. Again, I hear the voices from outside.
    Refusing myself the comfort of ignoring them and continuing to sulk, I feel I should enlighten myself on the events outside. I force myself to my feet, and I look around. It was not dark, for lights stuck into the ceiling, illuminating my lair. Dwarves had been the first to live here, so I supposed it was their doing. I descend from my bed and make my way to the mouth of the cave. I am unable to stand fully, for though the tunnel was large, it still could not match my height. The walk proved to be longer than I remember. As I reach its end, I am on the verge of panting. The light of the day comes to me finally, just as the blue, red, and green tunnel lights begin to fade.
    As the sunlight washes over me, my scales begin to shimmer. They were beginning to dull with age, but they still held much of their former luster. Azure were my scales, and silver were my horns and eyes. What seemed like a deep blue mane under my horns were long, wispy scales, almost spines. I bore long black spines along my back, azure talons, and a whiplash tail. My most stunning feature was perhaps my wings. Long, they were, with six sharply pointed tips, an ocean of blue. Now out of my cave, I could stand at my full height of forty feet.

- 1 -

Part 2

    I scan the area as my eyes adjust. Forests lay across the landscapes as far as the eye can see, even dragon eyes. It occurred to me how green it all looked. What a shame it would be if the humans extended their territory here. From my height, I can see most everything, and all was peaceful. Remembering what it is I am seeking, I sought the source of the voices I had heard.
    As I expected, the sound was human. Far from my mountain perch, I see five of the creatures. They stand in a clearing, obviously arguing. All five were clad in silver armor, hefting broadswords, and four of them appear strong and tall. I can see they are not yet aware of my watching them; they faced each other and made those silly human gestures. One was a lad, he sat nearby with his knees pulled to his chin and transfixing his gaze at the ground. I find it curious that he would be traveling with them, though I pay him no mind. I extend my senses to hear their words.
    "….bring back to my wife! It would support us for ages!"
    "Hold your ugly tongue! We split it; your share alone would support all of us for ages. And think of all the honor and glory!"
    The third spoke up, "He's right. Larden just shut up and accept it. We need the money as much as you do, why should you get the better share?"
    The one called Larden stayed silent. He pauses momentarily, and finally speaks again. "Fine…but I still say I should have first pick of the treasure…" After he said this, the other man, still angry, appears as if he wished to strangle his friend. Before he had the chance, the fourth intervened, this one a stout man with raven dark hair.
    "That is, if we live to tell the tale…you've heard the stories haven't you? The beast can breathe fire!" He makes an irked grunting sound. "To think how a beast can be so greedy to keep those riches to itself!"
    Dropping the argument at last, the other three nod in agreement, solemn now at the thought of the challenge that lay ahead of them. The young lad still sat quietly on the ground, his sword and shield lay across his lap. The other men begin to gather their possessions.
    "Come on lad, don't get left behind!" one calls out to him good-naturedly. This caused the boy to grab the equipment and stand up swiftly to follow. I can see them heading my way as they mount their horses and gallop toward my mountain.
    I decide to cease watching them now. I know why they are here. Many men have challenged me for my treasure, none have ever succeeded. They seem pitiful to me at the moment. Always they choose a sword as their primary weapon. The object has never harmed me in any way. The only reason my mate was slain, was because she was out hunting and strayed too near a human citadel. A catapult launched a long spear through her body, killing her instantly. I wince at the thought. I remember my promise to myself never to recount on that dreadful day ever again…
    The humans begin to near my home. I feel terrible in having to slay them. I decide to wait and allow them to come. I turn and slink back into my cave. The tunnel seems shorter to me as I enter my bed chamber. Yet again, I feel weary, for I am growing old. I manage to crawl to my treasure mound again to await my would-be killers. Reclining, I close my silver eyes. All at once, I feel brittle and weak. Have I truly grown so old? I still remember my glory days, when I was young and full of vitality, all those centuries ago. It was then when I had met my mate. She was as young as I was then, and a bright turquoise color. Her beauty had struck at my very soul when I looked at her. I remember the joy I had in taking her as my mate, and the agony I felt when she was murdered.

- 2 -

Part 3

    I do not know how long I waited, maybe a couple of hours. I'm sure it would be difficult for the clumsy humans to reach my lofty mountain lair. Eventually I could overhear their labored footsteps approaching my cavern. Closer they came, until I could easily hear their cursing without trying. The ring of a sword being unsheathed sliced through the silence, followed by another, and another.
    "Reveal yourself, foul drake!" a man shouted with all his might. "Come out and face your destiny!"
    At his words, I cannot help but emit a rumbling laughter. This man knows naught of destiny, I think to myself. I sense his suppressed fear after my chuckle, and find myself wondering why they wish me dead. I have slain none of them unless they threaten me. Humans are such a confused species. Or perhaps it is because they simply do not understand? Why any creature would fear me is beyond my comprehension.
    I see them as they step into my chamber.
    With stifled gasps, they see me as well. Only the four men are present, I suppose I shall have to deal with the lad later. They stand in amazement of me for many precious moments, until their puny minds register that they are in danger.
    "Forward brothers! This is what we've waited for! Let us slay this greedy beast!" one shouted, although I'm sure he didn't need to do so. With great effort, they tore their sights away from my gems, and charge toward me while shouting their battle cries.
    I pity them, running to me only to bat me around like a steel piñata. They back swiftly away after the first few painless strikes, their fear engraved upon their faces. They drop their weapons and flee from me.
    I dare not allow them to leave, only to seek vengeance. As they disappear from my sight, I inhale sharply, and allow my jaws to slowly drop. With a great hiss, I unleash my fiery wrath upon them. The flames leap from my maw and enter the tunnel in pursuit of them, a deadly race of which I am already aware the humans will never win. Their screams echo through my lair for only a few seconds, the flames diminish, and all is quiet again.
    Strangely, in the very moment the screams faded out, I felt unimaginable loneliness. I waved it off the second I realized it was there.
    The deed was done. I slump down onto my treasure with a heavy heart; my victory had been bitter sweet. I allow my eyes to droop, and know that my youth had all but left me. I want to weep, I need to weep, but my tears are spent. The fear-stricken expressions of those that I kill will haunt my dreams, I know.
    Small footsteps enter my chamber and rouse me from my depression. I lift my head to find the lad, standing in the mouth of the tunnel. We stare at each other and let the moment drag itself out. I sense the same fear in him that I do in all humans, yet his face stays solemn, almost curious. For the first time in years, I decide to speak. It had been so long, I feared I would not remember how, but speak I will.

- 3 -

Part 4

    "Why have you entered my chamber, boy?" I say.
    The lad flinches; I conclude that he had no knowledge of my speaking capabilities. He shudders, and steps back, yet does not flee. In a shaking voice, he says, "Y-you can talk!?"
    Again, I laugh, and drop the question. "Have you not seen the fate of the others? This shall be your fate, lad. Why do you not run from me?"
    He let out a small whimper. "I-I'm not afraid of you! You…man killer!"
    "Then come." I say. "Come closer, lad, so that I may see your bravery."
    To my great surprise, he approaches me, walking slowly and deliberately. He pulls out his blunt sword. "That will not save you. Your puny weapon cannot cleave my scales." I tell him.
    He pays no mind to my warning. He comes closer; his expression is of pure intrigue. He then says something that I find rather interesting. "Why have you not killed me yet? Do you have any intention to?"
    "I don't" I say, bluntly. "I have no need of your demise. It would gain me nothing."
    He stays silent after I speak to him. I can feel his fear leaving him slowly, yet not completely. He looks about my cavern momentarily, at all of my treasure. "You stole all of this?" he asks me.
    I am taken aback by this, for I did not expect his question to come as it did. "Stole is a strange word for it. More of, found or given the treasure. Most of it has been passed down through my family."
    "Family? How could a creature like you have any family relations?"
    I frown. "Why is it that you call me 'creature'? Am I truly that beastly and vile? You may refer to me as 'dragon', for that is what I am."
    "No!" the boy shouted stubbornly. "You are a hideous and greedy creature!"
    I flinch at his cold words. "Yes, boy, now who told you such things?"
    "My father!" he says.
    "And how did your father meet me?"
    He hesitates, and I know he did not expect my retort. I feel the common anger replacing his fear like a virus.
    "He doesn't have to meet you. Everyone knows that you're a greedy killer!"

- 4 -

Part 5

    "Greedy?" I cock my head to one side. "What tells you that I'm greedy, my treasure?"
    "Yes!"
    "And would you not guard what is rightfully yours? No, lad, I am not greedy; it is man who is greedy. The others who visited me before you were greedy for wealth and glory, man does not see my kind as a true being, only a monster. We do not own, we only steal and kill, surely this is what was taught to you."
    He did not speak; he only stared at me, unbelieving. I took the moment to speak again.
    "We do not own the treasure, the gods own the treasure. We are the guardians."
    The boy looked at his feet, as if he had been chastised. "You are lying…" he muttered.
    Attempting to ease his nervousness, I smile. "A dragon does not lie, lad. I tell only the truth. Will you allow me to enlighten you?"
    The boy looked up at me with wide eyes, his fear and anger finally gone, driven away by kindness. He sat down where he stood and tossed his sword aside. "You are so beautiful…" he commented. "Why do you hide in here?"
    "Many have a grim outlook on my kind, child. We are thought to be associated with the devil, but this is simply not true. Few have the heart to listen to our words of wisdom."
    He continued to stare at me. "But why hide from us if we could know that you're not evil? I just know that if dragons were in the world again, they can spread your wisdom. You seem to know a lot, but you're hiding in the dark."
    "No" I tell him. "Hiding in the light."
    "I don't understand."
    "It is not something easily understood by mortals. No one is ever truly in the dark. One should not hide from the dark, but hide in the light, and take comfort in knowing that one shall never be alone."
    The human boy now looked upon me with comfort in his eyes. Perhaps one day, dragons will return, I think. Enlightening one human at a time and drowning out the lies.
    "You can't be called just 'dragon'." He tells me. "You must have a name?"
    It seemed an eternity has passed since I was asked that question, and I'm sure even I do not know who I am anymore, who I was. I felt my pain and loneliness leave me this day, replaced with the long lost joy I thought I would never recover, and by a human boy.
    "You may call me…" I told him. "…The Light."

- 5 -

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