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Taming the Beast ============================================================================== 3rd October 372 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Today we lost another sheep. He didn't get away with it. That Karl is sure a madman, his skill with the recurve is immeasurable, but if this keeps on, that will be his undoing. I warned him, he doesn't listen. There is a point where you rather give them way. They are rare, frightful ancient beasts. Fascinating ones at that. If only I could... That's exactly why I am starting logging these. I don't know how it would work out, but at this point it seems fairly certain we are dealing with one particular specimen. A gorgeous male of probably some forty to sixty years of age in great health and vigor as apparent. I am tempted to think the bastard rather teases up with his attacks than anything, he certainly wouldn't have trouble hunting further out in the wildland. He rarely got away with his plunder, and even then not without a few arrows in his hide. However, they are just too swift. He killed several of our cattle in the past months. So I guess carrying out the plan wouldn't do much harm anyway. At this point I just hope we could get past his natural caution. Their intelligence cannot be underestimated. 14th October 372 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Like I expected. But at least that poor useless old goat is still fine. Of course, we put too much attention on the bait, and of course, the beast figured it out. Got a few good bites out of that cow even, Mike sworn that the thing was cackling laughing as he kicked himself into the air, safely away from the bow's range. Didn't even take his time to try to grab more of his kill. 20th October 372 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A small success, but success nonetheless. I never thought I would feel glad at the loss of one of our animals, but this time it was finally as I planned. The goat disappeared. Of course, nobody was anywhere near, intentionally by my explicit order. They have keen senses. I am pretty sure he examined well the area before settling on our offer. 28th October 372 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Still, all good. A second bait gone, and we didn't get any harassment since the 14th, only seen his silhouette in the distance a couple of times. It is bewildering how deft they can be despite their size. 3rd November 372 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Of course, I should have known he would notice. I wanted to make some progress, so set up a hideout for observation. Another sheep down, the beast cackling at our futile attempt, Karl fuming that they are a man down keeping watch useless at the bait. He acknowledges though that when it works, it is easier on them. I know he would like to get up close to him, just like the rest of us. Magnificent creatures! Maybe also the thrill, the lethal threat, wicked stories even tell they could swallow a man in whole, not that I give those any credit. It is all well they respect the bow. 15th November 372 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The new arrangement seems to work out okay, he took the bait. I modified two things. For one, I didn't make any real effort to hide the shelter, the other, I got it moved farther back, out of bow's range. I was tempted to discard that shack altogether, however I didn't want to expose my men to the cold. I am glad it works out in the end. Now I have a good excuse to get there myself. Well, I have to preserve my image before my workers. I only hope the dragon will appreciate the increased offer. 22nd November 372 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Wonderful! The creature is purely magnificent, the reports certainly weren't anything exaggerating! I had seen him numerous times, but never this close, to study those lithe, elegant lines, the slender neck and limbs, the massive wings, and even count all those delicate tendrils of that royal crest! It definitely did worth it. We are so going to capture this beast. Well, let's just say, get him capturing himself for us. They are too intelligent. He looked at me! He observed all the surroundings meticulously, keeping an alert eye on me all the while, clearly aware of everything. As the anecdotes go, there was hardly anyone ever after the Flipout who could get one actually captured. But no matter, we are going to do it. Slowly, but surely, will do. I so feel this will work out, ridiculous as it is, but heck, I am truly curious of the result. I wonder how he will like it when he realizes... 9th December 372 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Steady progress. We are feeding the dragon for sure, and feeding him well at that, but it is still better for the health of our herd than if he chose in his harassment, spoiling perfectly good cattle. He seems to appreciate it. He is extremely wary, one little change, and would rather flee, but if everything was in the usual arrangement, he would come and take his kill. My men are aware of my ridiculous plan as it is, not that they all appreciate it, but for example Mike thinks it was a quite wicked prank. Slowly, but surely, it will be his undoing. So we keep it as it is for now, very careful with trying to advance. It is interesting enough to observe, and time is working for us if all is right. We can afford to be patient. 17th January 373 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Heh. This works out pretty well. It is chill outside, but interesting when it happens. He didn't ever harass us since that 3rd, apparently accepting what he thinks a favorable deal for him. But I would say, the result is starting to become visible. Maybe with the cold winters it is more or less normal for them to pack on some weight for better protection against the chill. I can't say for sure, didn't see them up close before. His abdomen is certainly lower than it used to be. The plan continues. 2nd March 373 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Weather is getting better, finally an occasion when I didn't feel all numb while watching him, frozen waiting for hours. He doesn't seem to notice anything, pretty much got used to his regular feeding by this point. For sure, he is just as magnificent as ever, I would say, the regular feeding even helped, well, the most of him. Lithe, slender, and flawless, elegant even, despite that small hanging paunch. We don't press him. The plan seems to just work exactly how it should. He is all alert and cautious, but seemingly oblivious of what is happening to him. I say, let's not interfere for now, keeping him comfortable with his regular meals here. 24th April 373 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The usual routine. We are doing our business as normal, feeding the dragon became an interesting side project, part of our regular schedule. I am even somewhat surprised he didn't leave. He could after all. But I guess he got pretty much attached to his easy meals by now. Maybe not entirely dependent, and at this point definitely he would still very well be able to leave if he wanted to. Still, even his graceful agility retained, I can barely notice anything on his behavior. But we are patient. 6th May 373 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Now we are starting to get somewhere! Today, after his meal, he didn't leave immediately. I heard this happening already, but this is the first occasion I saw it myself. I wouldn't have thought the word, "cute", could ever apply to these beasts, but this was certainly something fitting the definition. That he is still alert and vary, and clearly uncomfortable about the situation, but just can not help, but sit down, rest that sizable paunch a bit into which he packed down another entire sheep of ours, and keep jolting, as if anything could happen, prepared. Damn, I even felt sorry for the poor creature that he couldn't just appreciate the fill. Frankly, he is still all lithe, slender, those fabulous lines are all there, as if with them, just about all the extra weight went onto his underside, already a somewhat sagging brisket, and that loose paunch resting betwixt those sinewy hind legs of his. I think if he just lain on his belly, nobody would notice. I wish if I could just comfort him, well, eventually that will come too, I guess, if he keeps his schedule visiting us. I barely believe how this ridiculous plan seems to really work. 12th July 373 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I have to keep reminding my workers, discretion. I really don't want any unwanted attention. The dragon is certainly far from anything tame. It was just Mike, as my new employer, Jared told. He didn't bring it up in the tavern at least, not that I wouldn't reprimand him for the act. Just a little bit, thankfully no real harm done. So this Jared was a friend of him who he didn't see since a while, went to Ravenport for studying the arts of carpentry. He showed me a few trinkets as demonstration, and in general, appears to be well-versed on the field, I just hope he can handle the rough edges just as well. We certainly are short of a decent craftsman who could take care of our equipment and could possibly direct a couple of larger projects upcoming such as those silos on Westdyke. The guy certainly is interested in the dragon, and this prank we are playing on him, but clearly Mike kept it vague for him. One question more, and I am going to look for one less inquisitive, I told to cut this off. As a matter of fact, the prank is going well, he keeps returning and finishing his meals, the more and more often resting a little while before leaving. With all their supposed intelligence, I am just wondering how he doesn't notice. Maybe the change is too slow for him to really comprehend. But it is only good for us. 1st September 373 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Patience. Damn it, patience. But I just couldn't resist. There is certainly some ridiculous strength in these gorgeous beasts! He actually laid down for a brief rest, down on his belly, wings by his sides, head raised high, alert as usual. I have to say, apart from a modest dewlap, it doesn't show. He is as fabulous as ever, those slender lines, the lithe curve of that neck, the long, sleek tail, one big healthy dragon! I just had to try to get a bit closer to him, after all, it is almost a year, maybe he should have calmed down already. But he didn't. That's some wicked power in him. I barely believe how sudden it all was, him kicking out and snapping those gargantuan wings in a fierce threat display! Well, to be frank, I landed squarely on my posterior there. I am glad I was alone. He didn't hurt me at all, rather left, so quickly I barely though possible. I really hope I didn't mess up this chance. One year, dammit! 5th September 373 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ We hadn't seen him since then. I keep silent about my blunder, but I think I might not be doing too well concealing my anxiety. That devil, Jared, certainly sees there is something off. He is probably a bit too enthusiastic about this. He couldn't swipe that grin off of his face that day two weeks ago, that when he first had seen the dragon. I really had to give him an opportunity, to let him taking a turn in the watch when he was most likely to come. Drat. This thing sure grew on us. Now I am not only losing the dragon, but I think the new carpenter, too. Please. Damn it, please, lug those big fat guts of yours back here, so we could put some more in it for you to carry! 8th September 373 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ At last! It had to be Jared's turn, but at last, the dragon is here again. As he told, he never saw something with such a voracious appetite like him then! Since he experienced him already, I take this that he truly got into some feeding frenzy to fit that description. Probably a good sign that this is working out well. He might have gotten lazy enough to rather get back to us than to resort to hunting. 15th October 373 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Such a nice encounter for the anniversary! Patience, still, patience is the key, just enjoying watching the glittery golden beast, and how our prank slowly gets him into our clutches! The year of plenty certainly left its mark on his figure, his gluttonous gut now sagging well below his knees, his ample brisket swaying by every one of his steps. He got lazy, alert, but lazy, fighting his own body's pleasure to keep himself on his toes, should we decide upon any malice against him. Seriously I wouldn't have imagined they could fly with such a burden, but he does, those sinewy muscles are immensely strong, well able to keep all that bulk moving, and pretty agile even when he wants to be! Well, we have time, and by now, I accounted for his needs. Sooner or later, but he will go down, and that's certain. Let it be his way until then. 2nd January 374 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Plain old business as usual. New year, new years resolutions by the old traditions, but for sure, if this certain dragon grasped the concept, that resolution for getting back into shape crumbled apart rather quickly! That lardy pig he devoured today by Mike's account sure wouldn't do much good for him! 19th February 374 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ There is certainly some development. I wanted to reprimand Jared for not holding himself back well enough, damn that guy. He is a damn good carpenter, but got very much tangled up in this dragon project. So on the 15th, he encountered him, and given how he rests more and more on the bait site after his meals, he tried an approach despite my words advising caution. Well, to be honest I have to admit I really want it to be my privilege, but due to the nature of this endeavor, I have to be lenient. It is a ridicule with little practical application if anything, and to have my men's trust and respect, I need to handle it as such. He advanced, and like earlier for me, he snapped out at him, and took off. I think he suspects that I already had a similar encounter. However, unlike earlier, the dragon this time returned like nothing really happened. He is probably giving in, or maybe just getting too comfortable with his free meals. 7th May 374 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I am honestly starting to worry about his health. Well, to be frank, probably getting that fat like he is might not exactly be a healthy state for them. But I really hoped it wouldn't take this long for him to give in, and apparently he still didn't. I have to admit I find his form rather pleasant to look at with all that. Magnificent, regal, and cute, real, honest cute with that lardy flabby gut he had grown, protruding and sagging low from his still prevalent lithe, sinewy majesty. But that he still tries to put up a fight against his steadily growing fate, and even fly! He took off, but couldn't manage far, landing maybe about two hundred meters away. Then again, he does, struggling to keep on, getting away as usual, pretending to be free. I sent Karl after him this time, I really don't want to have him injure himself in his struggle. Well, to be frank, I know he finds some enjoyment in seeing our ridiculous slow-paced retort working out after the year of harassment we endured. But maybe we got a bit overboard in trying to pull it off. I thought it would have resolved earlier and with less fight. 14th May 374 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Holy rats and sacred adders! I would have never imagined the dragons also ate plants! Karl came back with a rather elaborate report on what our subject did while away from us, along with anything he could discover about his diet. As expectable, he didn't fly too much anymore, only using his wings to overcome obstacles, and although covering some distance on foot, for most part he appeared to be quite idle. He told he mostly kept considerable distance, but upon two occasions, heeding the wind while the ground gave a good opportunity, he cautiously sneaked nearer. He swore that the lazy gluttonous bastard enjoys his state, despite all the show he puts up. Both occasions, he found him totally sprawled out on a sunny hillside. Sleeping, pondering with half closed eyes, not in any hurry, occasionally waking, stretching or even caressing himself, probably more indulged in his own self than any modest creature should be, at least that was how he put it. Not without adding that he definitely deserved whatever is coming up on him. Well, that much for my worries, conscience, take that! Armed with this new knowledge on draconic diet missing from the ancient's books, I am making a few corrections to our plan. The greedy bastard will be ours. Enjoy your time out while it lasts! 16th May 374 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ New meal well-received! Among with the usual meat, this time slices from a cow, we added what Karl observed him foraging, and a little more. Just to let him choose whatever he feels good for himself. He was definitely consuming our offer with renewed vigor! Such a hopeless glutton, tasting and indulging all leading to his slow undoing! Such a graceful glutton. It is wicked how he retains his shape despite all that, packing just about all his fat on his underside, out of sight if he didn't want to show it off. Well, the more I wish to get this dragon. And I will get him. This time, he still left, could heft his bulk into the air thanks to those miraculously powerful sinewy muscles of his. But one nice day... 11th July 374 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ And behold, history is happening here and now! This day I believe finally we have this majestic beast firmly in our hands! To be frank, probably about two of them if we were to measure it by the weight. In the past months, I kept experimenting with what I was serving to him. What he liked, what he did less so. He might have quite well-developed sense of taste, apparently appreciating some manners of preparing food, although certainly preferring to have at least some raw, but always keen on trying out new things. One thing remained though. No advancing. He kept snapping if any of us ever did, but less and less reluctant to move. How long would it take? So today I decided on ending it for good. Knowing that he would stay, as he got used to staying despite the discomfort our presence caused, I kept being patient. Just let him rest a bit, his stomach to settle after the purposely oversized load which he gobbled up like the dependable greedy glutton he was. I knew it was not without risk, but well, one day, the move had to be made. He snaps out, fanning out those wing wide, looking great, threatening, and utterly comical with that sagging brisket and gut hanging deep down betwixt his knees. I can't help, but grin. Knowing that I will keep on. That slender long neck carrying the great, lavishly adorned head with all the sharp teeth in the long jaws, and that sleek lithe tail, that far-reaching whip is still a very real danger, I am aware of. I sit down. He doesn't move. He wants to move, I see the discomfort, but his body does not obey anymore, all by his fault, even at that very moment, weighted down with that substantial meal. He sits, tail twitching, flabby paunch flowing out like a loose sack, barely contained by his sinewy legs he can no longer hold tight against his sides. I advance, he snaps, desperate. I see his plight, that of a cornered animal, cornered by his own weight bogging him down. Well, it was you who ate all those. Maybe I was even talking to him, reprising, reciting how he harassed us. Looks at me in discomfort, pulling back, that telltale belly protruding even the more. I think I was there, up close for an hour or so, he didn't leave. Now, some four hours later, he is still there. I ordered some dessert to be delivered to him, just to keep him on the hook. He isn't going to go anywhere any soon! 15th July 374 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ We firmly have him in our grasp. Honestly I am a bit concerned about his gluttonous majesty's health, so I rather settled for cutting a little back on his meals. Certainly he shouldn't be fed daily, although for sure it was useful to get him bound there. By his own very substantial weight, nothing more, nothing less! He is clearly very strong, but by now it is pretty obvious that the sheer size of his sagging underside gets in his way, making him unable to use his legs properly to kick himself off. He could, but maybe he doesn't even want to any more, that being too uncomfortable for him. I wish we are not far from coercing him to give in. 24th July 374 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Well, I don't worry much about him. Such a perfect epitome of pure hedonism, no less, inside that dragon body. He clearly takes good care of himself, clean, and aware of his bulk. He is careful to not hurt himself, attentive even on his gait to avoid getting that deep sagging gut of his injured. And when he thinks we are not there, or probably when he is too tired to care, for sure he can get quite indulged in himself! Those wings can sure get very nimble when it is the matter of giving a good massage to that big soft brisket! And well, other parts of his anatomy, not necessarily fit for further description. Phew, just what we had gotten ourselves into! 9th September 374 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Finally, I think he got it. He let me touch him. Not before he probably realized that with all that careless indulging, he totally screwed himself. Massively. The bottom of his massive gut by now is almost down to his ankles. I could observe him well enough to see how he copes with his bulk. I am tempted to say, he likes it, he can surely get lost in the pleasure of enjoying his own flabby underside, how he can grab it, play with it, and do all sorts of weird things I would have only imagined a human mind would be able to contrive. But very often he appears to realize how much trouble he got himself into. He uses his lithe, agile long neck to study his relation with his environment. I could see him numerous times being careful, particularly to not get his low-hanging belly scraped against the protruding rocks of the hillside prevalent on that region. He appears to realize that this is getting harder for him, probably especially getting down into the valley for a drink, and that it is very much not normal. Apparently he is also definitely getting tired of being worried about us. We had to increase our activity in his vicinity to cope with the fact that he is now just about permanently there. Well, he did leave upon a few occasions, flying or on foot, I am not sure, neither on whether he got any far, as it was never more than a day at best. I have to give credit to his intelligence or awareness once again, making our job substantially easier. He very soon settled on a spot further away from the bait site to use as lavatory, to which I promptly set up a regular collection to encourage him sticking to it. We also set up a large tarpaulin tent nearby, so he could find protection from the elements if necessary, and I guess that helped, too, making him more accustomed to our scent and structures. In the end, I saw less and less vigor in those snaps and threat displays. Rather, he is pulling back, almost as if begging to just leave him alone, I can't help, but chuckle on the image, him backing away, dragging and stumbling over those expansive folds of lard he packed on in the last two years. He lashes out, showing his fierce jaws in all its glory with every single needle and tendril of that fabulous crest erect, however by this point I was prepared, knowing it is rather a display than any real intent of harm. Safe distance. Slowly he closes his maw, the crest falling, staring at me bewildered and befuddled, that I am not even stepping back. There is still quite a distance, I am reaching out towards him with my arm, again, mouth open, his elaborate adornments all taut. It passes me that I definitely want this, to be able to get him purposely displaying it. But keep repeating. He slackens. Advance. Snaps out. It was a dangerous situation for certain, me roughly advancing on him from his side, the way he ended up trying to back away, then too much engaged in our contact than to be able to untangle himself. He could have sprung to maul me dead. Well, he didn't. I felt rather reassured in this game of attrition working out, and it did. Snaps, slackens, little advance until he snaps again. Then I am there, arm's reach, almost as if teasing him, a bit closer, crest raising, backing my finger away, falling. As if prodding him, as if he was even sort of playing along by then, entertained, I would say, thrilled, the looks of his definitely conveyed something eager! Bang. Finally, I tap on the tip of this snout, right betwixt the nostrils! Done! He pulled away in his sudden surprise, hefting that massive bulk of his with unexpected swiftness, stumbling out of my reach, almost knocking me over by his tail. Clearly nothing intentional, he was too much preoccupied by his own embarrassment, but it certainly reminded me how dangerously close I was. The power of that sinewy whip can crush bones, and that's by reliable accounts! Sure that was quite a thrill for me for the day. Not unlike for our gluttonous beast, dazed and fazed, fumbling and faltering, shying away into the woods. 17th September 374 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Our bonding continues. He clearly had a quite complex mind, and I believe he is pretty much into this. Thrilled, and definitely entertained by my advance. It seems as if there is still some fright in him, that he is not in control anymore, his growing gut especially after a meal nailing him down. Keep adhering to the rules, awareness, know when to give him some slack. I see it pretty well on the pattern of his breathing. Small advancements. Today I stroked his chin for a while after making contact. My proximity disturbs him, but he lets it happen, I believe pleased by the sensation. 3rd October 374 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I am getting reports on him becoming more agitated. Frankly, I didn't tell any of my men my own experience, and I now see what is likely happening, I verified it the third time today simply by staying put at the observation shack where we normally are. He eventually just starts doing it, looking at me, long glances, and as if merely by accident, settling down somewhere nearer, sprawling out, and keeping twitching, as if concerned by my presence. He gets bored with it after a while, but maybe too lazy to change position, remains there. Then if I step out, snaps out with such a vigor I can only interpret as anticipating. He wants me to close up on him, and he wants it that way. It is a game. He gets thrilled by it, I don't know how with that he should have accustomed to me advancing on him by this point, but it is part of the activity. Likewise, backing up and stumbling over his own bulk. He almost always does that. When I finally touch his snout, he calms down, and is definitely pleased by me tracing and stroking those magnificent bony facial features of his. Even getting as far as that he doesn't care if I removed some loose shed or even a tick. His skin is leathery, rigid, but ample under the jaws, not stretching, rather accommodating expansion by having sufficient surplus. Just like that of most other reptiles. Underneath he has loose sagging fat, and he clearly enjoys a good massage on it. Maybe give a few days and I hint my men on the watch. Winter is coming, and he might need better accommodation for the cold nights than we can provide there. 18th October 374 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ His gluttonous majesty could be clearly enjoying himself much these days. Jared took the cue, and got himself introduced to the dragon pretty quickly, picking up the rules of the game of getting in touch. The scaly bastard loves to be cared, nothing unexpected how we had seen him indulging in such activities himself numerous times. His sagging underside is certainly, pleasantly soft under the loose reptilian skin. Anyway, I had some matter to tend for in Ravenport since a while, now being confident in Jared keeping up the bonding, I got this trip arranged. Presently I am writing this up in the Riverside Inn. This is a quite pleasant part of the year for traveling. The local library dedicates an entire wing for volumes of ancient texts, material originating from before the Flipout. I sincerely doubt any figment of utility of most of those. Such as titles like "Graphisoft Imaging User Manual", full of crude sketches which probably lost their original intent long ago in the numerous transcripts, nobody having the vaguest idea on what they should actually represent. To give them credit, they are culling especially these since a while, things which clearly only had utility with that unfathomable elaborate magic they possessed. It is as good as nothing, like the perpetuum mobile. I have no idea what they subsisted upon, but even by what's still apparent today, their crafts centered upon that device of many forms and names which was capable to change its visage so swift that it appeared real. Nobody ever found any single volume providing the scarcest idea on what made them actually work deep on the insides. Like the perpetuum mobile, you may see and probably even understand it all, but yet, there is that subtle detail missing without which it is all merely a huge pile of useless junk. Frankly I am leaning towards the ideas of the Jovianist Church, that it was a gift of the transcendent consciousness governing the balance of all the life in our world, a gift to allow us ascending in harmony to understand him, but which gift we recklessly abused to no ends, turning it against the very fabric of this delicate balance. So came the Flipout three hundred seventy-four years ago. And so came all this cryptic mess in the ancient's texts. They apparently couldn't do anything anymore without the magic, and it is often a struggle to get around it, to extract the useful knowledge even over subjects such as alchemy and medicine, which are certainly very much real sciences. Eh, I am just scribbling this down in my annoyance over a certain volume. I knew that they even tamed the dragons, there are numerous accounts of it, with the magic they possessed, they certainly could do that and much more. So here is this volume over communications. Yes, communications, the golden crested wyvern as far as they knew, was capable of it. It is a decently sized book with lots of texts, miles and miles of texts describing what apparently would be a sign language, something which supposedly even wild dragons possessed. Great lengths of texts with scarcely one image giving any idea on how the described motions would look like, but loads of those references called "links", preserving some identifier of so-called videos, moving pictures on their magical devices. Which ceased to exist since three hundred seventy-four flipping years! I had to clear my mind walking on the riverside across, taking the ferry, so I could watch the turmoil of the docks from the other side, graceful vessels floating down and anchoring, people scurrying, carts of great varieties of goods pushed around. There is plenty of activity these times with the harvest. 22nd October 374 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Such a mess. I get home to be caught by Karl before even allowing me to skim through the reports or as a matter of fact, even to properly tend for myself after the journey. Some private time, he asks, well, okay, I hope it is damn important. Two hours and come back. So he comes to tell me about Jared. That he sneaked upon him while he was supposed to be on watch at the dragon. And that he found them, as he put, quite enjoying each other. He is a good carpenter, a valuable asset. I might reprimand him, okay. But you are not going to do that again. We got this dragon of my ridiculous wretched idea, and I say, if anyone has any saying in whatnot anyone does with him, that's me. Let it be my concern what Jared does with his gluttonous majesty. Heck, you too, seriously, do whatever is on your mind as long as it is on your watch! Whatever? Sure. Whatever. To put it mildly, I am worried about this development. 23rd October 374 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Well, he is certainly all well for now. The weather is gentle, there was a bit of drizzle in the morning, but by the afternoon it cleared up, the Sun gives decent warmth. He recognizes me, the usual excitement, backing away, feigning or maybe even real anxiety, until I finally touch him. Gave him a pretty good massage for it on all his flabby underside, well, hoping nobody was peeking somewhere in the bushes to concoct more outlandish ideas on this than it was already. He is such a hopelessly spoiled greedy bastard. I would say, still rather oblivious of the fact that we have him. It is only good for him I am meticulously rationing his intake. Keeping him in a proper shape as he may think. A proper, slowly, but steadily growing shape as I see. Let him have his time. 2nd November 374 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ What a wicked ruckus! Mike running up to me, storming right into the office regardless of how much I despise unwanted interruptions. That's better be very important, or! Karl is doing in the dragon! What? He is all incoherent, all I can extract from him is that he might have shot him, somewhere behind the ear, and he was fighting him, maybe trying to slice his throat with his dagger! Holy rats and all the sacred adders. I was rushing after him with a plethora of jumbled thoughts. I felt sorry for the glorious bastard, grown so overly oblivious of what was happening to him! Heck, adorably oblivious even! I definitely didn't want him to go this way. But well, it was still a bait and trap. Karl may have taken it that way. To put the crown on our wicked slow revenge. I decided I wouldn't utterly devastate him for it. Don't let emotions surge on you, keep your head clear handling a conflict. So he was to be reprimanded for taking the action in his hand, while it would have been my sole privilege to execute that final act. A harsh reprimand was to come, but squarely for that, and only that. Eh, two whole years of gluttonous plenitude! Serves him right. Not without that tickling sensation, a bit of envy, how he clearly enjoyed all of it, in the end even becoming so oblivious, excited, and ever so voluptuary! Then we finally arrived to the scene. There was no dragon, no Karl, and no blood anywhere. Could he have slain him even? Suddenly a surge of doubt, worry and anxiety flooded me. I knew, up close, the dragon was certainly just as dangerous and lethal as any other, his long, lithe and muscular neck giving him impressive reach, unburdened by all that lard he was carrying. Maybe Karl chose to attack him that way especially for that. A mental image formed of him clutching onto the dragon's neck, trying to ride it, out of the reach of those fierce, devastating jaws, probably hoping that his gut will wear him down into submission allowing to finish him with ease. We tried to follow any marks left. Still, no blood. We spent I believe, hours there. It appeared as if they may have moved away significantly, but I couldn't figure out where. We kept returning and trying again, only to end up with the same result. I gave up. Tried to reassure Mike that we may just find Karl at his usual duties around the stables with quite an adventure to tell. That was some impeccable foresight! Just wish if it worked so well with other difficult matters. Karl was indeed at the stables. He was pretending to work with the horses, even, to make the image complete. That wide grin on his face almost tipped me totally over. Really, there was no need to coerce him to tell about what had happened. Did you slay him? Chill. His gluttonous majesty is safe and sound. You say, your idea, it's my duty to respect it. Well, may I show you just where did I put him? Karl. Such a confidence, he definitely pulled of something of quite magnitude. Of course, naturally, we both are all eager to figure out the resolution of this mystery. Then he leads us up to the General's Hill, the site of an old battle where we had that dilapidated barn which Jared started to renovate a while ago. Which admittedly I envisioned potentially housing the dragon if we ever got there. And now, the dragon was indeed there. Totally tired and freaked out, for sure. I could very much imagine the cause of the first for this was more than two miles from the bait site, for the second, well... I recall you said whatever on my mind. And that was a fine, fair point from Karl over the matters of the dragon. 5th November 374 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Karl definitely did something to him. Not that I really worried about it. Getting the dragon to the barn was quite a feat, which eventually had to happen anyway, at least we are past it now. By this point he clearly is also pretty much well past the point of being capable to free himself. No matter his anxiety, his renowned discomfort, he stays there, takes his fill and his usual pleasures. The area I think fits quite well. The General's Hill is bald, fit only for occasional grazing, by old records it was apparently cultivated with poor practices, resulting in the soil washed away over the ages. Plowing flattened its surface, in my time we mostly used it for leisure riding as it is quite safe for the horses. There is also a small, but quite reliable stream nearby coming down from a spring at the foot of the mountains four miles up, and the area is surrounded by scarce woodland and forests on most sides. It is a nice variety of landscape, and is quite secluded from the main farmlands. 12th November 374 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I think we are back to the usual routine. However Karl managed to get him there probably had some positive effect on him, anxiety and agitation with a grain of fright, but apparently it gives him some thrill as I really feel like he seeks out for it. He loves to sprawl out afterwards, submitting himself to some good, massaging care, during which I also take my time to examine him. By now his loose flabs of lard definitely reach below his ankles at the very least when he walks, but with the change of place, I have the impression he firmly believes he got thinner, strolling around with renowned careless vigor, probably even affecting his eating habits. I think he is less anxious while at his meals despite whatever happened between him and Karl, which I take as if he had some grasp on the cause and effect, that gorging himself repeatedly is getting him in the state he is. Well, if that's so, I like this development. Pleasant careless indulgence, oblivious of the consequences. 2nd December 374 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Amazed by his intelligence. He definitely has a good understanding of motions and motives, if he wants to, he is very good at knowing what is on my mind, what I would like him to do. Definitely makes it easier to take good care of him. He clearly understands when we are cleaning him, helping his shedding, and cooperates, providing easy access to the nooks and crannies of that magnificent elaborate crest. More so, he actively signals to us upon occasions, not the simple calls, but even more elaborate ones. I get that he is aware of the function of a bucket which is pretty remarkable. He shows a motion of drinking while lazing on the hillside catching some of the feeble warmth of the low Sun. There were a few occasions when we brought him water to be served along with his meal using the vats on the cart, but this time it wasn't feeding day. Seeing that I am not moving anywhere, he prods me gently with his snout. Then points to the side of the barn, and then towards the stream. I gaze at the side, a variety of this and that, a few remaining planks still stacked up from the renovations, some tools, a couple of old hoops, and indeed a conventional small wooden bucket. Well, he could definitely lift his ass if he was such a glutton. At least to put up just an ounce of fight against his impending fate, but still, the complexity of this expression got me. To be able to convey that I should grab that bucket, fill it, and get it back to him, so he could drink without having to lug his sagging gut all the way down and back. So I get down there to the barn, and to my astonishment, find that this rickety old bucket's bottom has a gaping hole in it, rotten off, who knows since how long ago. Realizing that the only real explanation is that he is aware of the function of the object, not even recalling an earlier experience as nobody could have used that to get him water. Thankfully I found a proper one within the barn to reward this complex expression. 3rd January 375 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ And guess who fails his new years oath miserably right at the very first opportunity! Well, not like he had any, at this time, despite the cold, he appears very much content with himself, not even the slightest hint of anxiety about packing all those lavish meals down! If I didn't take such a care of his rationing to restrain his growth! I am pretty resolved to go through this. For the heck of it. For that he is such a hopeless hedonistic glutton, engorging himself in pleasantries that he deserves it. But such an adorable big flabby glutton! There is something charming in how he retains his wonderfully elegant lithe and sinewy features, and I am pretty sure he is aware of it, that he is still such a majestic, regal beast if he wanted to show that side of his! So I am keeping it slow for him. Subtly sneaking excess pounds, meticulously, one after each other onto his expansive gut, that he wouldn't ever notice I am playing this on him. He likes that gut and prolonged kneading massages into all that loose, soft flesh throughout his underside, it only serves him right if he gets more to care for! 11th February 375 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Despite my orders of discretion, rumors are apparently getting out. I really don't know how. People should have forgotten about the dragon by now, after all, it is already a year since they might have seen it last. Every one of my men who might have gotten any near him sworn that he didn't tell a thing of this ridicule we are playing here. Well, I should have known. Maybe nobody is at fault at this even, just the time, whoever else might have had a glance of him, whatever might have happened in nights of indulgence in the town's taverns. I have some ideas tough, but that needs his cooperation. 15th February 375 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Experiencing his intelligence is quite fun for all of us. He clearly has a crude language. I don't know how much of it was adapted to us, how much may have been described by that vague book of the ancients, what matters is that it is definitely there. He likes to push us around if we heed his signs, and is annoyed when we don't. And now I guess I figured what Karl had done to him a couple of months before. The situation was that we needed to clean the barn. Well, it was a lasting variable weather since a while, cold drizzles, so he kept staying inside. Karl called me out to give him some help. Why not Jared, I pondered, the carpenter, well, had a crush with his gluttonous majesty, I bet if it was about coercing him out, he would have had the best chances. So there is the situation, our oversized beast sprawling all out on the hay which was quite due to replacement. Not that he really spoiled it, to be frank, he never even let his bladder go inside as far as I can recall, very unusual for an animal, but I guess that's an unfair comparison. However, with time this stuff gets tangled up with all sort of dirt, shed skin, parasites and whatnot. Nah. He is not going anywhere even for my sake. I see it clear, he is aware of the concept of saying yes or no, and it is a clear no. Karl nods. Whatever. I knew he is up to something by this point. He starts advancing. A feeble attempt, a weak snap, the dragon tries to push himself a bit back with his wing. Karl shows him, out, nothing. I see the anxiety building, his breaths more rapid behind all that comfortably resting flabby flesh of his massive brisket. He walks closer. He pulls back his head, taut, showing the sign of no, all tense and agitated, gasping for breaths as if anticipating something really-really bad to happen. Then Karl steps promptly and directly beside those massive and quite lethal jaws, a swift swipe of his hand, and he has the bottommost needle of his crest under his ear firmly in his fierce grasp! He yanks it, hard. His gluttonous majesty winces in pain, letting his head led wherever he is pulling him! Wow. Just plain and sincere wow. I bet he finally wanted to show it off, how he can even handle a dragon should it be necessary. Well, a hopelessly oversized, thoroughly softened one, literally and figuratively, but still, a dragon. He passes him to me, so he can get to work. To comfort his utterly shattered ego. For a few moments I stand awestruck, until realizing he is prodding me with his snout. Totally, thoroughly violated. Humiliated, although maybe it doesn't come across as such for him, but for sure, done in. He follows me as I walk down to an open shed about half a mile back. I don't think I ever got so close to him before. That slight drizzle outside, I am laying down on a brick of hay, letting him to rest his snout on my chest as I am gently massaging his soft parts, behind the jaws, especially where Karl yanked him so hard. Not that it didn't serve him right. But it is just adorable how much he softened up, a dragon, seeking out for comfort from me, submitting and utterly pleased when I grant it him. Not that it would save you. I cast a glance at the expansive rolls of that soft underside, now slowly, calmly shifting by his relaxed breaths. Don't have any hope for that, the spoiled glutton you are. I keep gently caressing him. 3rd March 375 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Regarding the rumors, I keep pushing on experimenting with him. Figuring out ways to teach him, to get some good, expressive displays out of him, and there is some definite progress. He just loves showing off. I also asked Jared to design a quite special dais for him, to be set up outside, sufficiently away from the barn, so we could build up an image fitting for his majestic qualities. There will be an elaborate sunshade lavish with tassels, decorative pillows, fans, and a variety of useless trinkets which I can dig up from the vaults, but fit for the impression. This will be glorious. However it turns out. Thankfully I have a bit distant neighbor who appreciates elaborate pranks, so even if it escalates into a spectacular disaster, I am covered. It will be just good for our relationship, no matter what, perfect! 10th March 375 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The weather is perfect, the set complete, first rehearsal! So the specialty of this dais is a meticulously devised recess, designed by Jared himself, it just fit so well, the carpenter, who have the most throughout, by some accounts even overly throughout, absolutely first-hand experience of our gluttonous majesty's exact dimensions. I let him doing it, to lead the dragon up there, while with Mike's assistance I was preparing his meal from the cart. We got some old ornamental trays even, ones which were used in the past for special occasions, feasts, but got such defects which made them unfit to appear on an honest nobleman's table. I kept casting glances, for sure I was quite interested in how this idea would look like when turned into practice. It took a bit of assistance from Jared, but given how attentive our dragon is, he figured it out quickly, to put his legs on the sides, just sit down, and get utterly surprised. I saw it on his face, how he bent down, pushing himself up, observing the well padded recess and its effect. And then he made himself comfortable. Like it was all natural. Proves again how complex their mind is. He figured it would feel good for him, and just did it. The effect is truly spectacular. Not even a telltale hump, as if under those wings it was a perfectly normal dragon resting, and he shows it off! We kept just appreciating him for a few minutes, encouraging strokes, pats, and grabs on his hanging fleshy dewlap which now appeared to be rather a mere insignia of pure nobility. I would say the image is just perfect. Then, of course, he received his usual vast meal, just a few ounces bigger than before per my nefarious plan. To his credit, I have to say, he consumes it with grace, savoring the bits, giving his stomach time to settle on the chunks. He is not in hurry after all, but for sure, he makes sure to clean up good, clearly eager for more. But he wouldn't get it. I have to keep that gut in check, in my good, meticulous care. Total success. He is definitely comfortable on the dais, not any eager to get up, stretching out wide as usual, I bet enjoying the odd sensation the structure is probably giving him. Not that we didn't encourage it. 15th March 375 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ He is pretty comfortable with the set, so today I sent out my invite to Lord Connard. Promising a feast with a very special honored guest. Either way it goes, I know him well enough that it will be a success. 17th March 375 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Of course, there is always something. Because there must always be something I was not accounting for! And these reports need to come this very day, when there is no hope to stop that invite reaching my noble friend! So there are some very definite rumors on the return of the dragon. Which, of course, I know can't be the return of this very dragon who would only be able to lift that massively oversized gluttonous gut of his above some thirty inches if I put a flippin' ladder under him. To give the last stab to my hopes, of course, the rumors are of his dark silhouette up in the skies! Why? Damn it, why? 20th March 375 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ And now we have the beast right over our head. Why, of course, we have it, that's the luck with these things. I had seen it myself. Circling right above the General's Hill where our gluttonous majesty has his seat. Left before I set out to see whatever could have happened. Well, you had a nice long voluptuous life here, I kept ruminating on my thoughts again, how his utter demise could have finally reached him after those oblivious, pleasantly careless years spent in blissful hedonism. I met up with Mike on my way. His end apparently still got postponed, all well, unscratched. All what happened was the dragon floating up there in gentle soaring, while ours pretty much kept staring at the sight, as far as Mike could tell, maybe even trying to communicate something with no effect. Or maybe he is just realizing what he had lost at last, that once he was, too, up there, the apex predator, terror of the wide lands. 21st March 375 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This is at best puzzling. If anything, he got excited by the sight, but only to appear the more pleased. Jared says he was particularly pushy this time. He really had to give a good, throughout massage to him, all his flabby expanses, over and again, well, I shut him off. Whatever is on his mind. He doesn't have an expansive estate to run with all the intricate details and relationships, one of which is about to take the downhill ride without a brake anywhere in sight. I really wouldn't care for an occasional goat, sheep or whatever, but right now, his gluttonous majesty became a rather critical asset. He had gone so damn soft that he apparently totally doesn't even recognize the threat his own specie could mean to him in the state he is! Well. To be frank. There would be times I would say, serves him right. Just a bit anticlimactic that it wasn't me who got the privilege of the final act. I am toying around with the thought. He enjoys himself, all too much, and totally oblivious at that, indulging himself. Jared? Well, that too. I am pretty sure there is more to that than apparent. Heck, I am keeping it slow. Slow, but certain, I can't help, he has those qualities I would honestly miss. Miss dearly. But it only works if I keep it on, to have that very subtle, but certain pressure as that gut he loves so much creeps downwards. He doesn't seem to realize that it is now squarely below his ankles, but well, those lithe, sinewy legs of his are long. We certainly would have quite some time still left. I so can't let another dragon intervene, but... But there is simply, totally no way to coerce one once truly set on something. All so screwed up. 22nd March 375 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ We saw the intruder again this morning. However, all the same. Keeps soaring over us, some circles over the hill, then leaves. Not even a single scrawny goat lost yet. I was with him in the afternoon, and for sure, he is more elated than usual. I would so like this development if it wasn't for the looming threat, and the looming approach of that feast, which is just bound to be screwed up, impossible as I thought on that fateful day when I carelessly sent out that cursed invite. He is energetic. Likes to play cups and ball, it is kind of miracle how he grasps the concept, even for the excitement's sake. I don't always have treats to go with it as the ball, regardless, he plays along. 24th March 375 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Karl swears he saw that dragon taking off from here. Most of the time we have someone with him, but we grew a lot more slack in organizing regular watches. At night, whoever takes it, usually just sleeps around there, knowing that nothing would happen anyway. Naturally, we are more tense these days, but apparently even Karl can nod off, and as a consequence, get utterly embarrassed by that he can not provide any better report on the events. I say, it is well enough for him, certainly no reprimand, staying awake wasn't even explicitly in order since quite a while, and he pretty much got it from his very own nature. I was expecting much worse, but apparently nothing of harm happened. If it wasn't even just his fantasy on the borderline of dreamland. I am tempted to dismiss it as such, however our glutton certainly shows some renewed vigor in his acts. I am tempted to think the two dragons met, and somehow it is not turning into a disaster for ours, well, rather say, I am hoping so that this is what is indeed happening. 27th March 375 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ What a smashing success! Despite all my worries, everything worked out just perfectly. Jared got him on the dais well before the Lord's arrival, and he could manage to keep his patience, and didn't either freak out from the sight of the new person and his small retinue. Well, a feast of small company for the delicate nature of our special guest. Much to their amusement, he showed off nice on their arrival, apparently having the right idea of the situation, the vain creature he is. Then came the feast, getting them totally flabbergasted by the copious amount of dishes he devoured. He is a dragon, my friend, you see, these magnificent lithe forms, these great muscles, the sheer expanse of those wings! You had seen them in the air, how gorgeously agile they are, that takes a lot of energy to sustain! Maybe I prattled among a little too much on how much it costs to feed him, how elaborate his needs are, which, frankly, were somewhat true, but maybe the details on his small personal hoard in the mansion were just a bit over the top. Totally flummoxed, all the while entertained by those gorgeous displays of his, like the good host he was. Deep within I would say, I even longed for him to just get tired of it, and heft himself out to show what he truly was. It would have been hilarious, I know Connard, that would have been such a finale for him! But either way, it is. Now for him, we truly have a dragon. 2nd April 375 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This is better than I expected. That intruder turned out to be a valuable asset in the end. My Lord saw it on his way home, sailing high, and totally fell for it, believing I sent him out as a so much appropriate farewell, appraising this gesture by an immediate mail of warm words of appreciation. I still struggle to figure out what that dragon's presence is about. 10th April 375 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Second or probably third or maybe fourth time she visited. It was of course Karl. He was keen on figuring this out, or rather I would imagine bothered by the stain on his reputation. Definitely a she, he says, he would recognize the differences in their ornaments distinguishing the genders. But I am tempted to think it is just that it makes more sense as the fragments piece together a lot better assuming she was a female. Especially that apparent vigor of our gluttonous majesty after those visits. 13th April 375 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sending out another invite. Well, it appears our visitor is scheduling her visits rather to the night, so I hope it is reasonably safe to risk it. We have a dragon, now I just want to keep it low, by properly introducing him to the nobility around, carefully, one by one, expressing the delicate nature of the matter. It should keep unwanted attention at bay, settling it squarely that it is a very exclusive creature, not for anyone's peering eyes. 16th April 375 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Gosh. That's indeed a female, now that I saw it by my very own eyes! Such a lucky spoiled bastard we have here, now he is definitely totally, thoroughly indulged, whatever he desires! I can't put my head around what she finds so attractive about him, but surely, definitely she does visit, and I can only imagine what they are doing when she does! 17th April 375 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I couldn't help, but give him some very throughout massaging care. There is something certainly enticing in his situation. Heck, for sure, everything is there for him, all the food he could desire, the whole day to do as he wishes, and now even that mysterious visitor. But that would be all vain if it wasn't for his personality. How he gets the most out of all, and thoroughly savoring every fine detail, a true, hopeless hedonist, enjoying himself, exactly as he is, what he became. He has that adorable charm, how his features remained so lithe and elegant, retaining all the gorgeous characteristics of the dragon. It is so comical when he hugs, kneads and strokes that loose brisket, the sagging gut betwixt his slender hind limbs which he can not properly hold against his sides anymore when sitting on his haunches. Totally oblivious that they are still slowly, but surely growing by my meticulous care, he is way beyond all the anxiety he formerly had, submitting himself to the pure bliss of his existence. 4th June 375 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ All good, apparently these days everything just works out to our favor. I had two guests since then, for both of them, all the same, not a dent in our image. He is totally dependable, resting comfortably in his dedicated place on the dais throughout the act. That mysterious dragon, his mate apparently also had her schedule firmly established, preferring to visit us upon occasions in the evening. I think we never saw her silhouette against the blue sky in the past month. Just what I need, keeping up the pretense of us truly having a dragon. I decided to leave some offers for her at the former bait site, but she doesn't seem to take advantage on them. My worries are whether she may prey on some livestock, but it seems they may be without foundation. For sure, she neither receives anything from our dragon, at least I see my plan with him working out exactly to my expectations, one month, and another inch down, he is definitely, properly taking all his fill. I like to play with him, so sensual and receptive, definitely showing his pleasure. But it is not only that, there is more to him. A very complex mind. He grasps elaborate concepts, and does play along, Jared even taught him to build towers of wooden blocks by pinning them between his jaws to place them, and they are competing in that. He understands something very abstract there, that the challenge is getting that tower higher, and even has a clearly functional thought process. Jared purposely begun with merely stacking cubes on top on each other. He swears his intent was just that, never even thought of getting anything more elaborate than that. Then a couple of days ago, the dragon somehow figured that if he started with two blocks, he could get a more stable base. Three blocks, even better. That's some remarkable working of the mind! Ridiculous as is, yesterday he emptied a cart of quickly polished up wooden bricks in that corner, a good variety, not just the cubes he used before. I wonder where he will get with those. 22nd June 375 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Those toys were such a great idea. He certainly can get quite focused in stacking them, grasping pretty well the basic concepts, and showing impressive forms of creativity even. With so many bricks supplied by Jared, now we are starting to become just too short to compete, and he realizes it with such smugness which is simply adorable. Jared certainly encourages him with those long, elaborate massages he is so eager to grant for the victor, well, eventually he always wins anyhow when it is Jared. 25th June 375 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Well, I have to say, I can only envy him. I wouldn't have thought there would be a day when I would just spend hours laying on that big, soft underside, well, last night, actually. I still have a reputation to hold, but the dark just made it all the more pleasant. He apparently likes it, even if I let myself nodding off without much activity on him. Sleeping. I bet it is Jared's doing. Frankly I mostly worry of Karl. Not that he doesn't have his own ways with him, but he is more on the assertive side. The dragon likes him, I see that he might be seeking for the thrill, how far he can go teasing him before that swift reprimand of his came. To me it seems as if he rather regarded him more like our horses, though for certain, one very special horse demanding good care which he is eager to grant him. Even though I didn't ever mention, I am fairly certain he is well aware that I am keeping on my plan. Subtle as it is, he has a good eye for it, the growth wouldn't slip by his keen attention. Yesterday I actually grabbed his bony foot, well, he loves it, gentle, barely touching strokes on those lithe, sinewy features or a good kneading massage on the muscles, so I had all the time I needed without raising the slightest suspicion in him. Counting the inches, one inch, one month, recalling his gut is nowadays sagging down to about a third below the ankle when he is standing. Maybe I can let it grow to about midway below at best before it started to impede him. Three months. Maybe four. I sigh at the thought laying on his belly in the night, that expansive sprawling brisket and belly which he carries so proudly, and which are slowly but surely leading to his impending demise. If only he, himself shown some restraint on his feeding to give some excuse! But no, he loves it. I can't help but start kneading on it for him, gently wobbling and caressing those loose, rolling and flowing stretches of thick fat. He lifts his head a bit, a glitter of an eye, and lays back with a long, blissful sigh. That might have been where I finally drifted off. 2nd August 375 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This is wicked. Careful as I am to maintain his growth's steady pace, he is approaching that certain point. Still, it doesn't give him trouble given how flat this area is, but I see that especially in his more vigorous pace, there are but a few inches before his gut would start meeting the ground. I am more attentive with him these days, making sure he feels all so good as he ever could, pleased, sensual and so adorably oblivious! Just loving to rest sprawled out on his back, his head on my chest with me sinking my fingers into that soft dewlap! He had it, well, he sure had his time, and what a time! Sometime in September I guess, maybe at last in October if I can drag it out for him that long. The final act. Well, at least he doesn't have to worry about it. 25th August 375 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I set out the date to do it. The 15th. September. Not any later. This has to end, end before it gets unpleasant for him as his fattening gut grew too big and too low. It keeps me on the edge, the decision, the tangible ticking away of time. And the weather is great. He has such a great time. I give it all for him, let him have his way, his pleasures. I feel for his soft spots, I caress his massive brisket and gut he so much enjoys himself, that expansive, ever subtly growing display of his hedonistic self. So blissfully pleased, so blissfully oblivious sprawling out, lazing on his hillside, his gluttonous majesty! 15th September 375 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I was silent about it. I prepared everything. To make it swift for him. One last day, the 14th. It was all about him, all dedicated to him, letting him indulge, letting him having his lavish fill of everything one very last time, I made sure to thoroughly caress him to blissful oblivion and then again. Such a perfect weather with just the right temperature for all! There was the long dagger on my desk, freshly sharpened, never used to make it as swift and clean as possible. Waiting for dawn. I was totally struck by the sudden harsh rattle on the door shattering the eerie silence. I showed it away. No need to appear like a psycho in such an early hour, I believed it was pretty urgent whoever came. And indeed it was! An envoy, a royal one, rarely seen in these parts as the King honestly had very little influence over the matters here. I thanked him, reassuring him that I would attend for this no later than today, regardless of whatever it was. It is customary to not open such messages in the presence of prying eyes, so as usual, I scribbled up an order for the chef to keep him well while I looked into this, and let him go. Sigh. So I break the seal, and unroll it. And with the wickedness of fate, what I see in there? Of all things, the Major General of the Northwestern Border Guard himself wants to pay me a visit, to see that dragon of mine, discussing the potential utility in warfare. Blood rushed out of my head. I grab the sides of my bureau to prevent myself utterly collapsing. Glad there was nobody in here. What if I just did it, killed him like I planned, and told it didn't work out at all, it was all a hoax, and be done with it? For a moment, I seriously considered it. But then... A crazy turmoil of visions. The transcendent consciousness. The balance. The Flipout three hundred seventy-five years ago. If there was any such thing, this may have been His way of revealing what a miserable wretch I became. The. Show. Must. Go. On. 17th September 375 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I am still barely grasping all what happened today. We had the setup again. We had him on the dais, perfect, as usual, prepared all the dishes, lavish dishes this time given the utmost importance of our distinguished guest. He was acting like he got well used to by this point, showing off, pretending to be such a majestic regal being like he was. I had difficulty with my part. To recite all that nonsense, even those ridiculous hoard bits, still hazed by that since two days he should have been gone, gone for good and ever. Then the discussion over the matters of the military begins, and I am totally dead. There is nothing good to come from this. Jared. It was him, who gave that sign. Totally fed up by the charade. Our gluttonous majesty raises to show off his entire gargantuan expanses, spreading his wings wide along with it, to put the icing on it, lifting his head high, the crest all taut, like a regal phoenix, and he keeps it, stiff, royal, and utterly comedic with all that flabby, low sagging fat he packed on during the three years. I doubt the existence of any device the ancients possessed could have registered the velocity of that pompous jaw slamming into the floor. 18th September 375 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I guess needless to say there is no deal. I wouldn't have thought I would ever be so utterly satisfied with such a total, obliterating, devastating failure. The long dagger is also gone for good. I took it to the blacksmith myself, for nothing less than to destroy it, and didn't care his pondering over my sanity. No more subtle, sneaky pounds. No more growth. His gluttonous majesty will live as long he pleases, just the way he pleases, and we adore him for.