Sunlight crept through the shed's dusty window, slowly crawling up my body until it landed on my eyes. I let out a big yawn as the light woke me.
I don't think I could have had a better sleep. The shed was surprisingly well-insulated, I didn't feel a single breeze all night.
Even with my scales giving me a higher tolerance for cold, the wind still bothered me sometimes when I slept high in the tree.
But not last night. I felt warm. And knew I was safe from any monster.
I felt well-rested and tired at the same time; thankfully my wounds were healing quickly... though I could still tell I hadn't fully recovered from the blood I lost.
I realized that my tongue was starting to stick to the top of my mouth. Ugh. I really needed something to drink, I wondered If there was a well nearby that I could get a drink from.
I stood up. My legs were shaky, blood loss was no joke. I creaked open the shed door and poked my head out, checking for movement. Nothing. The yard and field were clear.
I was just about to step out when the door to the house swung open.
I Instantly snapped the shed door shut and ducked low. I went to the dusty window, and squinted to see who it was.
"Please just be the girl!" I thought to myself.
It wasn't.
A tall, broad-shouldered man stepped out, he was older, and rougher-looking maybe it's the girl's father? He did not look like someone who would take kindly to a dragon sleeping in his shed. And he was walking straight towards me.
Oh No. No no no this is bad.
I spun around. Where could I hide? Behind the tools? No he could see right through them. Behind the crates? Not enough space. Maybe I could slip out as he opened the door?
No way that would work with my luck, I'd probably trip over a rake or something and die of embarrassment before he got the chance to kill me.
Then I spotted it. an empty crate, with a lid leaning beside it.
He was only seconds away.
I scrambled inside, trying not to let my hard claws clatter against the wood. I yanked the lid over me and held my breath. If I hadn't been so flexible as a Dragon, there was no way I would have been able to fit in here.
Please, God, don't let him find me! My frantic heart was pounding so much that I thought he might be able to hear it.
The shed door creaked open, followed by the heavy thud of boots against the wooden floor.
He said in a rough voice, "Now which crate did I put those nails in?"
My heart sank and I thought, "Of course he's looking for something in a crate, it's not like I'm hiding in one right now!"
I heard him start to shuffle through crates, the wood creaked as he pried one open. Then another. Then a third. And he sighed in frustration.
This is bad, there's just a few crates left. He's going to find me.
He said, "Ugh. It's been so long. That I've forgotten where everything is."
He opened another crate.
"Oh, here they are."
I exhaled silently, and felt relief wash over me. That was close.
But just as I thought I was safe, I heard a dull thud, which almost made me jump. Something heavy had been dropped on top of the crate I was hiding in.
He'd stacked another crate on top of me, and now I was boxed in completely.
"Dad? Are you out here?" came a familiar voice.
He answered, "I'm in the shed."
Her voice came closer. "Oh! Are you looking for something?" There was a nervous edge to her tone.
"Yeah. Nails. Mr. Baker's fruit stand caved in again. He asked if I could come help fix it."
He didn't sound annoyed, just a bit tired, like he often did this kind of thing.
Her footsteps approached the shed.
"Were you looking for something too?" he asked.
"Who, me? Oh-no, I just thought maybe you needed help finding the nails!" she replied.
He grunted. "Well, I found 'em. And looks like we're almost out. I might need to get some from town to finish the job."
Oh. Okay! Good luck with the repairs, then. I'll have supper ready when you get home."
There was a pause. Then, in a softer tone than I expected, he replied, "Thanks, Aurora."
She smiled. "Bye!"
"Bye," he said, more out of habit than intention.
After about fifteen seconds, everything was silent, I thought, Had the girl, or I mean Aurora left too?
That's when I heard her voice.
"Hello??? Ryn, are you still in here somewhere?"
Was she… talking to me?
Either way, it was time to get out of this cramped crate. I banged against the lid a few times and felt it shift slightly. I got ready to give it everything I had-
But I didn't realize that the crate above me had been lifted away.
She had found where I was.
I sprang up, out of the box… only to immediately catch my foot on the edge and tumble forward, face-planting into the floor with a loud thud.
Aurora gasped and knelt down beside me. "Oh no-are you okay?"
I was fine… mostly just embarrassed after face-planting right in front of her. I tried to let out a small roar to say I was alright, but all that came out was a dry, raspy croak.
"Oh, you must be thirsty!" she said, her eyes widening. "I was going to bring you some water and food... but then Dad came out to the shed. Anyway, I'll be right back with something!"
She turned and hurried off, and I waited eagerly for her return.
A short time later, Aurora came back carrying another basket of food and a bucket of water.
After she set down the food and water, I instantly started drinking. I felt like just plunging my head in and drinking it, but instead I restrained myself In front of her and drank it slowly.
"I hope you're feeling better now," Aurora said with a smile.
Instead of leaving like before, she sat down beside me and gazed up at the ceiling. There was something quiet about her in that moment, like she had a lot on her mind but didn't want to weigh down the air with it just yet.
She let out a gentle sigh, not one of frustration or annoyance, but one of relief, like she had managed to escape her troubles for a brief time.
"Do you mind if I stay for a bit?" she asked. "I think we could both use the company."
I wanted to respond, to nod or roar lightly, but I still wasn't sure if revealing that I understood her was a good idea. I glanced at the basket in front of me. It was much like the one from yesterday… except there were two apples this time.
She must have remembered how much I liked the one from yesterday.
I picked one up and nudged it toward her gently, it wasn't much but I knew it would get the message across.
"Oh?" she said, a bit surprised. "An apple for me?" She smiled warmly. "I'll take that as a yes. Thank you, Ryn."
Ryn?
I tilted my head. Last I checked, I didn't have a name.
She laughed softly. "Oh, that's right. You might be wondering why I called you that. It's a bit of a long story." Her voice became wistful. "My mother used to tell me stories about the constellations. There's one up there called Taleryn."
She traced the stars with her finger in the air, even though it was the middle of the day.
"It's a lesser-known constellation," she said. "But in the old stories, Taleryn was a dragon, terrifying in appearance, and feared by many. But in truth, he was gentle, wise, and tried to help the world even though no one trusted him."
She smiled again, but softer this time.
"After she told me that story, my mother made me promise never to judge someone just by their appearance. So… when I saw you crawling toward me for help, yeah, I was scared. I wanted to run away."
Her gaze dropped for a moment, then returned to mine.
"But I remembered that promise. And the way you looked… there was a plea for help in your eyes, not rage. You didn't feel dangerous. So, after you woke up yesterday and I saw how calm and gentle you seemed… it just reminded me of Taleryn."
She looked at me with certainty. "Ryn. I think it suits you."
I was stunned; I almost felt a bit unworthy. The name had weight. And a noble Meaning. I wasn't sure I deserved it, not after how viciously I'd fought those monsters, or how much blood had already stained these claws. But still, I didn't feel like I could refuse it, it felt almost like a gift in a way.
Then she shifted awkwardly. "Oh and… I'm really sorry you almost got caught by my dad earlier. He never comes out to the shed, usually."
She paused for a moment, her voice dipping slightly.
There was sadness creeping on her, but she brushed it off with a deep breath, "Honestly, I'm not sure how he'd react to finding a dragon in the shed."
"He used to be so trusting. But ever since my mother passed…"
She trailed off, clearly fighting to keep the emotion back.
"They were really close. He's still strong, still kind… just more guarded now. I think losing her changed him. I don't think he could handle losing anyone else."
She tried to smile but couldn't quite reach it. "They used to go to battles and fight monsters together. My dad's a skilled fighter, but my mom, she was a powerful mage."
Mage?
My thoughts jumped. Could her mother have been the mage the soldiers mentioned? But if that's true… that means-
"She'd show me spells when I was little," Aurora continued. "Once, she made a whole field look like it was full of stars. Like they were drifting through the air. It was beautiful."
Then it's true. That was the mage the soldiers were worried about. But they didn't know… she's gone. That means the village has no real defense.
Aurora's eyes brightened again. "I want to be like her. I've always had a strong magic affinity, at least, that's what she said."
But then she lost a bit of her enthusiasm, and her smile faltered.
"But my father… he's never going to let me go. Not anytime soon. He says it's too dangerous out there."
She looked down into her lap. "I think he's scared to lose me... and I don't blame him. He lost Mom to a monster."
There was a pause, and then she looked up again, more resolute this time.
"But even if it's dangerous, I want to help people. To protect them, like she did. Even if… even if I died saving someone, I think that would still be worth it."
Her determination and courage were very moving. I knew she wasn't some naive village girl. She meant the words she said. If anyone deserves the chance to become a hero, it was her.
As I ate, I realized my throat was dry again. I peeked in the bucket, but it was empty.
"Oh, still thirsty?" Aurora said, perking up. "Perfect! I've been wanting to practice a spell anyway."
She reached into a pocket and pulled out a small metal rod.
"Release," she whispered.
To my amazement. The rod shimmered and transformed into a slender wand. She started chanting, eyes focused.
A glowing sphere of water gathered midair and began to float toward the bucket… but she lost control of it.
The water blob dropped-right on me and I was instantly soaked.
Aurora gasped. "Oh no! Are you okay? I'm so sorry!"
I was fine, she looked around for a towel, but I stepped outside and shook the water off, so I didn't get her wet as well.
She laughed as I came back in. "Thanks for not getting me wet, that was very thoughtful of you, Ryn."
This time she cast the spell again and managed to get the water into the bucket. I drank deeply. She looked back up at the roof.
"I'd miss this place if I left," she said, taking a bite from her apple. "The apples are from Mr. Baker's orchard. He always gives us the best ones before selling the rest at market." She gestured at the honey on the bread. "That came from our neighbor. She's getting older now, so we help her out whenever we can. She gives us honey as thanks."
She pointed at the meat next. "But that? That's my father's doing. He's the best hunter in the village." She said proudly, "When he's not in the fields or helping someone, he's usually out in the woods. I think it helps him clear his head."
Her voice softened.
"I've truly been lucky to grow up here. I love this place. The people, the land… it's all special to me."
She leaned back slightly. "But I know not everyone is as lucky. And that only motivates me more to become a mage honestly. I want to go out there and make a difference."
As she spoke, I could feel her love for this village, her father, and her desire to help others.
I had feared this world was lost, ruled by monsters and bloodshed like the soldiers I'd seen. But now I knew better.
Now that I had discovered there were good people here. Real people, worth protecting. Like Aurora and the village.
Chills ran down my spine and through my body.
This place was about to be invaded. Then destroyed.
And they had no idea.
Aurora refilled the bucket one last time and said, "The village might not look like much from the outside, but it has a good heart." She stood up and gave me a soft, grateful smile. "Thanks for your company, Ryn. I'll be back again tomorrow."
As she walked away, I stayed there, reflecting on everything she'd said.
I wanted to rest, but an uneasy feeling gnawed at me from inside.
The rest of the day passed in quiet tension. I tried to sleep early, hoping rest would help, but my thoughts kept circling back to the same place.
Aurora.
The first person who ever was kind to me.
The idea of her being attacked… or worse, killed, was unbearable. I shuddered at the thought.
Eventually, I was able to drift off.
But sleep didn't cure my unease.
In my dream, I was still in the shed. It was night outside, a strange orange glow flickered through the shed's dusty window.
I yanked the door open.
Flames lit up the horizon. Aurora's house was engulfed in fire. I ran toward it, the heat searing my scales as I got close, I heard beams crashing down as the building burned.
Then I heard a quiet cry for help.
It was Aurora.
I pushed through the flames and charged inside. The stairs collapsed behind me as I reached the second floor. Aurora was lying on the ground, covered in burns.
But that wasn't what made me freeze. Not even close.
A wooden beam had fallen and impaled her. She looked up at me through tear-filled eyes, reaching out with a trembling hand. A single tear slid down her cheek.
Then I woke up, gasping.
My heart pounded. My claws trembled. The images still burned in my mind.
I had to do something.
Could I warn them?
Even if I told the villagers, who would believe me? I doubt anyone besides Aurora would listen to a dragon...
...even if they did, would it make a difference? Sure, there probably were some strong fighters, but the army coming here was prepared to fight a powerful mage. And the village had no such defense.
I stood up. My wounds were gone. My strength had returned.
Maybe the reason I met Aurora… wasn't just so she could save me.
Maybe I was here to save her too.
I knew what I had to do. It wouldn't be easy. I had only a few days before the soldiers attacked.
But every time I killed, I got stronger.
And this forest was full of monsters.
Could I get strong enough to face that captain again?
Honestly, I didn't know.
But if there was even the smallest chance-
I had to try.
I opened the shed door for real this time. A cold wind brushed past me, and the moon hung full and bright overhead.
I turned to look at the house one last time.
"I'm sorry I couldn't say goodbye, Aurora."
I lowered my head.
"Thank you for everything. No matter what it takes. I'll be back soon… I promise."