Chapter 5: Dragon Fortress
I stepped out of the carriage and hopped on a very confused and very blind horse.
"Take the blindfold off."
Captain Roger did as I asked and sure enough the horse didn't react.
'Hehe, stupid horse.'
"Let's go. Bring me to this wonderful creature."
Captain Roger looked at me in nervous apprehension. Clearly not liking the fact that we were going alone.
"Ha!"
I kicked the horse and we began marching down the road. Our destination? Fort Dragon!
....
An hour later Captain Roger and I were standing on the beach looking out on the isle.
The isle was like a small mountain made of stone with plenty of trees on top.
Connecting it was a sand dune that was still above water.
"Let's go. Before high tide hits."
I rushed the horse across the dune and after a few minutes we were on the isle.
"Come on, there is a trail leading up. I think goblins made this place home until the dragon showed up."
I looked around and noticed the trail he was talking about as well as a few markings on trees. Clearly marked using crude paint like clay or mud.
"Let's keep going. I need to see this dragon for myself. I'd like to speak with it face to face."
Captain Roger just looked at me in horror.
Out of curiosity I checked his loyalty and sure enough.
[Roger: Loyalty 20]
This is why I wasn't in a rush to reward him with a skill. He was as easy as he was a flake.
"You can stay here if you want. You might just spook it with your negativity." I chuckled.
Captain Roger just looked back behind him before reluctantly following me.
We had to leave the horses on the beach. The trail wasn't safe enough for horses. Ramps will have to be made at a later date.
So we kept walking as I followed after Captain Roger.
After just a few minutes of walking I finally saw it…
A small dragon the size of a horse with long wings spread out.
It was covered in small red scales, her wings like a bat and horns like antlers. It was beautiful.
Ok I have a confession to make.
"I really love dragons. I don't have the heart to kill even an evil dragon. They're just so… awesome."
Captain Roger just slowly turned his head towards me and I had a feeling his loyalty level just went down by another 10 points.
Just as I was about to sit down to just admire the dragon for a while, I heard a feminine voice speak directly in my mind.
{Well don't just stand there. Say hello, why don't you?}
My eyes went wide! The dragon was inviting me over! She actually talked to me in my mind! Ugh, I am such a simp for dragons aren't I?
"Captain… Go away."
Captain Roger's brows scrunched in worry, but before he could protest I was already walking towards the dragon.
...
The closer I walked to the dragon the hotter it got, yet surprisingly I didn't feel uncomfortable. Maybe it had something to do with my dragon bloodline? Either way I was grateful.
After I was a few feet closer I got to see the dragon in all her glory once she sat up.
{You know I'm surrounded by treasures, yet not once have you looked away from me?}
I felt like I was being made fun of so I decided to poke some fun at her as well.
"That's funny. I was about to say the same thing. It seems you were less worried about my guard stealing those treasures and more interested in my handsome face."
Her eyes went wide for a second, clearly not expecting me to flirt with her, which made her chuckle a little, sending a rumble in the ground and some fire out of her mouth before moving her head closer to me.
{You might just be right about that handsome.}
*Authors note: They lose the forwardness in a few paragraphs and choose to take it slow.*
We looked at each other for a second and I couldn't help but look at her status screen using my skill.
[Onxia (Ava Watermon)]
[Ultimate Skill: Rule Of Fire]
My eyes went wide in surprise.
"You're like me?"
{Hmm? Like you?}
"You're from Earth."
This time she visibly tensed up, basically confirming my thoughts. After remembering what I said she seemed to shift from a look of worry to curiosity.
No longer on guard, she moved closer to me.
{You're from Earth? Who was the President of the United States of America?}
I furrowed my brows in confusion.
"Uh, America was abolished like every other country over 200 years ago?"
Her head jerked back in confusion.
{I'm not that old am I? Last I checked it was 1959.}
Now it was my time to be confused.
Though I quickly understood the problem.
"I think there's just an issue with Holstein. For me I died in the year 2390. It's likely we might even meet others from the 1200's or 3000's in a few years."
Of course Thomas couldn't be sure. It was possible the world just worked differently from what he was thinking.
The dragon, Ava, just thought about it for a second before sighing.
{I guess that means my parents are gone…}
'Crap, now I feel like an asshole.'
I was about to say something but she stopped me.
{So why are you here, stranger? Clearly it's not to kill me. That is unless you were a liar.}
I just scoffed, "I would never kill a dragon."
{Never say never.}
I just smiled at her before explaining the situation.
...…..
{Hmm, a fortress huh.}
"If you would allow me to build here I would be more than happy to help protect you and your treasures."
She just looked at me suspiciously. Understandably so.
{What do you want?}
I just smiled.
"I want to touch you."
That came out wrong.
Clearly, because she backed up and tucked her wings in.
"Uh, not like that. I just want to touch your scales from time to time. (Maybe ride you…)"
{I heard that…}
I smiled and whistled like I had no idea what she was talking about.
Of course I wasn't so blind I couldn't see that I was surrounded by treasures. Hell, even I felt a strong urge to hoard them for myself and I wasn't entirely sure if that was my dragon blood talking or the King Progenitor in me.
Yet both of those urges paled in comparison to my childhood dream of being so close to a dragon.
To ride one into battle, to lay my head on a dragon's belly, to kiss a dragon's snout. Completely worth it.
{You're drooling.}
"Cough, I would be willing to feed you, protect you, and even pet you."
This time Ava grew visibly agitated.
{I am a mighty dragon! Do I look like I need protection?!}
She says that as she sat up straight and flexed her wings in an intimidating manner.
But in the eyes of a dragon enthusiast? It looked like a puppy trying to act tough.
'Cute.'
{Why do I get the feeling you're not taking me seriously?}
I just shrugged, "You're just imagining it… What about free food? Do you want food?"
{...}
This time she seemed a bit hesitant.
'When was the last time I had a proper seasoned meal? I could really go for some fries and a coke. Some chicken nuggets too…'
{Do you know how to make chicken nuggets?}
I scrunched my brows in confusion.
"Organic food was a bit out of my pay grade until later in life… Cooking was a lost art to most people though."
I expected her to turn me down but surprisingly she just sighed before catching on fire.
I thought she was in danger for a second until the fire dissipated and the dragon I was talking to was gone.
When I looked around I noticed the dragon I was speaking to was gone and in its place was a woman about a few inches shorter than me.