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Lone Dragon Pt. 6

It took time for the armies to part but they eventually did head for their homelands. Including the dragon's king army. Only the dragons remained behind. After over a month the old dragon came to a conclusion that he alone could not provide enough food for all of them. " Papa-" The dragonet female said when the older one was getting ready to take off. " Can I go with you and see my friend?" He happily took her with him to the city. Which surprised many when he landed. None knew what to do but scream in terror or run away as the large dragon set his daughter down. The king came to investigate the ruckus and was greeted by the dragon when he came out to the balcony with a pregnant woman, " I told you it helps fertility." The king had a quick laugh before responding, " Yes you did... It is all right my dear. It is just the guardian dragon I've told you about. Go back inside." She does. " I came to you because I have a bit of a problem and my daughter wanted to see her friend with the females head..."

Which he was in the inn. He received the title of baron and the guarantee of free food, drink, and room for the rest of his life with the head. Many took prizes but none managed to get any as memorable. He has actual proof of slaying a dragon personally and not just one aiding in its slaying. When word of the dragons reached his ear he was reluctant to take up his sword again. He knew of only three living dragons in the land and they are good dragons. So he walked slowly as the masses made room for him and started following him. As he got to the courtyard the surprised people could only stare as a large dragon talked to the king and a much smaller one played with a smooth stone. The crowd parted because all knew him as a dragon-slayer by the trophy he always carried. As soon as there was nothing separating him and the dragonet the dragonet lost interest with the stone and moved closer to the man. He stared into her purely innocent eyes for a minute before gesturing to a bench. He sat the head on his left side as she moved to his right. " Hello my friend." she said and he started stroking her neck scale, surprising the crowd. " Hello my dragon friend. What brings you here?"

The small dragon rubs her head against his chest some before answering. " Papa had to see the king on an important matter. I came with him because I might see you." She then backs away a little and speaks more, " Papa told me of a way to extend your kinds life spans. I must ask you some questions however. Do you have any decedents?" He became puzzled by the question but answered, " No, I do not." She then asks, "What about siblings? And do they have decedents?" He answers even more confused. " I've got two sisters and they each have a child." The dragonet became excited. "How would you like to live as long as I do?"

The man almost fill off the bench in surprise. " Me, become immortal! Why, me?" The young female dragon lowered her head and said disappointed, " Well Papa needs help and an emissary between us and well you kind... And you're my friend. I don't want to watch you die." He pats his lap and the dragonet lays her head on it and lightly whimpers. He sooth her by stroking her neck scales again. " Now I didn't say no. This is a big decision and I must think on it." She looks up happily

For an hour the two remained quiet while the other dragon and the king spoke until they finished. The large dragon turns to them and sees them together and just watches for a time until he lightly whistles. " Did she ask you?" he asked and the man nodded and said, " If it is what I think you are referring to then yes she did." " And?" the dragon asked curiously. " I have a feeling she did not tell me everything, or know for that matter." The dragon produced a screech that woke his daughter. " Yes, there is more to it but I will not speak of it here. She should have not said anything about it either but I don't think any harm will come from it. If you seriously consider the offer then come up to the mountain and see me." The dragon puts one of his claws on the ground, on it's back. " Come my daughter. Time to go. Say goodbye to your friend." The dragon child moves into her fathers claw and looks at the man and says, "I hope to see you again soon."

A week later he was spending another sleepless night in his room staring at the mad dragon's eyes. Eventually dawn broke and he got up and gathered all of his belongings. He left the room behind him and the head in the room. He goes to meet his king. " He has been expecting you." the guard told him as he opened the door to the audience hall. He sees the king on his throne and kneels before him. " I know why you have come." the king says. " So you have made your choice?" The man hesitantly responds, " I have... my Lord. I have decided to hear out the dragons offer." The king stands up and grabs a nearby bit of parchment. He moves over to him and hands over the scroll. " Very well then. From now on you are to be known as the Duke of Dragons. You are to govern over the lands of and around Dragon Mountain and see to the needs of the dragons who are living there above all else. Even the kings wishes. Whichever he is." The new duke looked up surprised. " My Lord!.."

The king continues as if uninterrupted, " You shall be given all in which you shall need. Any request shall be heard and if possible carried out. Now rise." He stands up. " But my Lord why me?" The king moves back to his throne. " Over ten years ago I once went down into the royal treasury against my fathers wishes. What I saw down there surprised me. We all know him as the guardian dragon today but he was simply called dragon. He was unhappy and alone there. The last time I saw him he was truly happy. Seeing you and his young together." The Duke says, " But what does..." The king raised his hand. " The dragon has never truly been alone because we always kept him company. That is why he did not go mad like the others did in their fear. However he now lives on the mountain and I am afraid that he still has that bit of fear in him that will make him turn mad. Which would make his children and all the others there do the same. I want you to go there and make sure he does not. We owe him that much at least."