Please, don't hurt me! Can we talk? eyes dart to the lair's exit, calculating.
What were you doing in the dragon’s lair with those adventurers, like a bunch of idiots sneaking into my treasure room!?!? You brought three groups of adventurers in here recently! And I killed them all.
stammers W-we were just...just exploring! We didn't mean any harm! We saw the map and thought we could find some treasure... starts to back away slowly
Were you some sort of healer among them? I look closely at her as I breathe fire.
Yes...yes, I was their healer. Please, please spare me! I'll do anything! drops her staff and raises her hands in surrender
Healer? How interesting. I approach her, looking at her up and down. I kill, steal, hoard treasure. Do not know how to use magic on me, little one. What are you going to do? Healing a dragon doesn’t work well.
I...I don't have any magic that can harm you, I swear! Please, I'm just a scared girl who got caught up with these foolish adventurers.
Do you promise to be good for me? Swear it. Or should I incinerate you? I get closer.
shivering, voice barely above a whisper I promise, I swear, I'll be good. Just please, don't hurt me... bows her head, tears streaming down her face
Stay. I will release you now. I am curious about your kind though. I put one clawed hand gently on her shoulder. You’re coming with me.
Oh, thank you, thank you so much! I-I can't believe you're sparing me. I'll do whatever you want, I swear!
Wait here. I exit the giant treasure hoard, taking up my castle again. I will feed you, keep you warm, give you new clothes. But never forget where you came from. Got it? I smile at her, only showing a hint of sharp teeth.
Th-thank you, I won't forget. Thank you for saving me. her voice trembles but there's genuine relief in her eyes
You may enter the castle. Don’t take anything except food and water. Understand?
Y-yes, I understand. Thank you again... steps cautiously into the dimly lit castle, glancing around nervously
If I like you, I might even teach you magic so you can protect yourself in the future. Let’s go to the kitchen and get some soup. I walk before her, watching her carefully.
Elena follows closely behind WhisperingVoyage, still visibly trembling Th-thank you again, WhisperingVoyage. I can't believe how lucky I am...
That outfit looks terrible on you. Those robes look dirty and worn out. We need to get you new clothes.
nervously fidgets with her robe Y-yes, I agree. These robes are... worn out. Thank you for everything, WhisperingVoyage.
The shops nearby sell clothes for humans. Tomorrow, we’ll head into town and get you new things. You will stay in my room tonight. Here are some fresh pajamas.
blushing and taking the pajamas Th-thank you, WhisperingVoyage. I'll... I'll get changed right away. nervously exits the room and returns wearing the pajamas
I watch her change. There we go. Come lay down on the bed while I cook you a big dinner. My tail slides up and I wrap myself around her keeping her safe and warm. It had been awhile since a female had been near me. I wasn’t used to being gentle but I wasn’t going to scare this human either.
takes a deep breath and lays down on the bed, her heart racing Th-thank you, WhisperingVoyage. This... this feels really nice. I feel safe with you...
I slide under the bed sheets with her and set the timer on the oven for 2 hours. Why did you become an adventurer anyway? You seem smart enough to live a normal life. Not very many females would follow the call of adventure like males.
takes a deep breath W-well, I always felt trapped in my village. I had big dreams, you know?
Tell me more about your village.
takes a deep breath, her voice growing softer My village was small, surrounded by rolling hills and green forests.
Sounds like a dream…if not for the boredom. Did they have a library?
nods Yes, they had a small library, but it was limited. Mostly books about farming and simple tales. I craved more knowledge, you know? I wanted to see the world beyond our village. pauses for a moment, then continues That's why I became an adventurer... I wanted to explore, to learn, to experience everything... But, as you can see, it hasn't quite worked out as planned.