Dragon Crossing

by Susan Zutautas on March 12, 2019

Under his breath, the dragon huffed, “I can hear you up there Knight Slayer. You’re not going to fare well should I decide to come up there and get you. You’ve been warned before by my offsprings that you’re never to try and cross over here or you will be tortured. It won’t be a pretty sight!”

Meanwhile up above on the bridge Knight Slayer was practically holding his breath praying that the dragon would not be awakened by his horse’s footsteps. Maybe he should have left his stallion behind at the camp. This was the only possible way to the castle where his family resided.

Suddenly he thought he heard someone whispering his name. Terror-stricken, he wasn’t sure whether to gallop away or stop and face his fears.

“Dragon, is that you talking to me? I think perhaps you and I should come to some sort of agreement. Can we talk?”

“Knight Slayer, have you not been warned before, are you an imbecile? What could you possibly have to say to me?”

“I was just thinking that perhaps if I brought you something every time I needed to cross over here, that you’d let me pass.”

“Hmm.” snorted the dragon while holding his chin. “What might your offering be?”

“Are you a carnivore or an omnivore?”

“I’m an everthingvore. you silly little twerp. Why do you ask?”

“Well you see, I’m on my way to visit my family and they are hunters meaning they have quite an abundance of prey that I could bring back with me tomorrow for your enjoyment.”

“Hmm”, holding his chin again. “I suppose you will expect me to allow you passage each time you come and go.”

“Yes, that’s what I’m hoping for.”

Big sigh. “Well just as long as your offerings are meaty and tasty, I suppose we could try this but you’d better possess something favorable tomorrow on your way back.”

“Of course, of course, I will, you have my word.”

“Fine then, be gone!”

And this is how the friendship of man and dragon began.