Her Dragon Bond

I parked her car at the edge of the tree line and grabbed her notebook and camera from the passenger seat. The rumours of people disappearing in this area of the forest had piqued her curiosity as an investigative journalist. If there was a story here, she wanted to be the one to uncover it.

She slid out of the car and took in her surroundings. The trees were thick on all sides, their branches blocking much of the fading evening light. It gave the woods an ominous feel that raised the hairs on I’s arms. Shrugging it off as nerves, she headed down the old dirt path that locals had said may lead to answers.

Her boots crunched on dead leaves and fallen twigs as she walked with purpose but caution. Every so often she would snap a photo or jot down notes about the dense foliage or animal tracks she came across. After about 20 minutes of winding her way deeper in, she spotted something strange hanging from a tree up ahead.

Squinting in the low light, I drew closer and realized it was a wooden sign with a symbol burned into it. It looked like a stylized dragon or serpent wrapped around a flame. She had never seen anything like it before and made a note to research its meaning later.

A rustling sound came from behind her and I whirled around, camera up and ready to snap a photo if needed. But the forest was still and silent once more. Heart pounding, she turned back to the path and continued on with renewed vigilance.

It wasn’t long before the trees suddenly opened up to reveal a large, unwelcoming stone structure in the clearing ahead. It looked like an old monastery or castle, with crenelated parapets and towers stretching high into the night sky. Lights flickered in some of the arrow slit windows, suggesting it was still inhabited after all these years.

I crept closer, hugging the tree line for cover, as she surveyed the building. Two massive wooden doors stood closed at the front entrance, with two heavily armed men patrolling back and forth as guards. Whoever or whatever was inside didn’t want unwanted visitors, it seemed.

A plan started to form in her mind. If she could sneak in after the guards’ shift changed, perhaps she could find clues within to what was really going on here. Her journalist instincts were screaming that this placed held answers to the missing people. But first she needed to wait for nightfall and the cover of darkness.

Crouching low, I made her way around to the side of the structure where the forest grew up right to the stone walls. She pulled out her notebook to record more observations as she waited. Based on the size of the building, she guessed at least 30-40 people could live here comfortably. But why the armed guards and secluded location? What were they hiding?

As twilight deepened into night, I watched through her camera’s viewfinder as torchlights bobbed around, signalling the change of the guard. Once all seemed clear, she crept from her hiding spot and cautiously approached one of the windows. Standing on tip toes, she peered inside but could see only flickering shadows on the stone walls.

Heart pounding with anticipation, I began feeling along the bottom of the wall for any loose stones or other way to gain entry. Her search was cut short by a low, menacing growl from the darkness behind her. Spinning around with a gasp, she came face to face with a hulking figure backlit by the moon.

Glowing eyes the colour of amber regarded her with predatory interest from a beastly face. Muscled limbs ended in vicious looking claws and massive leathery wings folded against its sides. It was like something straight out of a mythical creature book – a dragon in human form.

“What do we have here?” a deep, gravelly voice rumbled from the dragon man’s throat. “A little mouse who has wandered into my den. And what business might you have sneaking around my home?”

I tried to steady her shaking voice. “I – I’m a journalist investigating reports of missing people in these woods. This building seemed connected somehow.”

The dragon man threw back his head and laughed, a chilling sound that raised the hairs on I’s neck. “Curious little thing, aren’t you? Well, you’ve found us dragons now. Though I’m not sure letting you leave is such a good idea...”

He took a threatening step closer and I stumbled back until her shoulders hit the stone wall. Trapped with nowhere left to go, she raised her chin defiantly. “I won’t cause any trouble, I promise. I just want the truth.”

The Dragon Lord regarded her curiously for a long moment before his angular features softened slightly. With the better lighting, as he stepped out of the shadows, I gasped.

His eyes were a dark as my soul, and his teethy grin was a bright as the sun. A contradiction if I ever saw one. Not like myself, with my bright blue eyes, almost piercing; Thanks to my Irish heritage, it was almost impossible for me to tan. But this hulk of a man, who stood towering over me, was something else. I knew in that instant, he was meant to be mine. But first, I had to get out of this pickle I had stumbled into. Whatever story I was working on, I was about to give it a rewrite, and an ending that would rival any best seller. “You have fire in your spirit, I’ll give you that. Not many would so boldly walk into a dragon’s den.” He cocked his head, making a decision. “Very well, you may seek your answers for now. But tread carefully - my kind do not take intruders lightly.”

I let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding. “Thank you. I promise I mean your people no harm.”

With a grunt of what may have been amusement, the dragon man turned and gestured for her to follow. “Come, then. I am Torren, leader of this clan. Let me show you our world, little journalist, before you pass your judgement.”

Intrigued in spite of her lingering fear, I fell into step behind Torren as he led me into the stone fortress. Whatever secrets this place held, I was determined to uncover them. My story had just gotten a lot more interesting.