The Dragon And The Pony

When I opened the door to the worn out tavern that day, of course I wasn’t aware of how much it would change my life, forever. And truely, how could I have known?

It started out with the usual, I entered the tavern, there were the typical gasps from the crowd, the sound of dropped beer cans, the fearful silence that followed, then the anticipation for something to happen.

Trust me, it was a rather common occurrence in those days, for me that is. I am a black dragon, for those who don’t know, that means I am nearly as tall as the largest minotaurs, that is when I walk on all four like I normally do. I not only have sharp teeth and claws, I am also covered in shiny black scales which are as thick and as durable as steel, believe me, you don’t want to mess with me at all. And that’s not even mentioning my fire breath and other natural weapons. There is a reason they call us one of the deadliest and most feared creatures. I also got a nickname, a good one if I may add, they called me: The Black Death.

Yes, you may say they’re exaggerating... but they aren’t. I would brag with how awesome I was … am, but this story is not about me, well not only me, so let me continue.

After a moment which I used to let the crowd have a good look at me, I let my gaze wander around.

I was greeted to a view I had grown quite accustomed to.

The scum of society; thieves, robbers, murders. In short, everything that makes such places homely. And the best part was, they all feared me. Oh it felt so good back in the days, as a black dragon, I simple loved being feared and respected.

But I digress. Of course, this was when I was younger. I was so proud, of all the fame I gathered, the reputation, all… oh pardon, right, back to the story.

Anyhow, that day, something was different. Even I didn’t noticed at first. I chose a table, the one that looked to be the best for me and headed towards it. The fact it was already taken didn’t matter, not to me anyway.

Before I got there to get rid of the griffons who were currently occupying the seats, a melodic voice called out for me. Not that I noticed, I was far to arrogant and focused on my objective to even recognize that some creature had dared to address me.

But the voice addressed me once more, louder this time. “Hey, over here, mister dragon!”

Slowly, very slowly, I turned my head around to the origin of the voice. I learned over the years that even this simple gesture of addressing others in my own time increased the fear creatures had for me by a large margin.

What I saw, however, surprised me deeply.

There was a creature I had never seen before. It was small, maybe three fourths the size of a griffon, with a coat of ocher fur. It had wings like a gryphon, covered in feathers. At the moment they were bound though. Its hair was a dark brown, maybe with some parts going into black, I wasn’t sure at that moment. It also had hooves like a minotaur, but at both fore and rear legs, there was no paws or claws, not even hands.

Even today I adore those feathery wings, you can never find anything that soft and playful in all the world. Hehe, but I get ahead or myself, let me return to the story

The strange creature was currently being held down by two minotaurs, one of them was holding its throat, pressing its back onto the table while the other held its rear-legs, for what reason they were doing this I didn’t care to guess. It wasn’t really a hard job for them though, considering the creatures legs were all bound together, while the wings were tied against its body.

While I still wondered what this creature could be, it spoke again.

“I am sorry for being late for our date,” it fought against its captors to raise one of its forelegs, “got tangled up in business.”

That was the understatement of the century. I wouldn’t call being completely bound and helpless a bit tangled up. More so, it seemed these minotaurs where going to cut the creatures throat soon, at least one of them had tried to grab his axe whenever the pegasus stopped struggling so hard.

That was before I entered the tavern and every creature stopped what they were doing.

So I had actually saved that creatures life, even it wasn’t my intention. It was a mistake I was going to correct rather quickly. After all, this creature had the audacity to speak to me in a common tone, in public of all places, where I had a reputation to keep.

I couldn't help but growl a little as I changed my direction to where the mismatched group was. I never appreciated having to change my actions and go out of my way to suit others.

When I got near, the two minotaurs moved away from the bound creature, not willing to test their luck trying to fight me. I admit, a clever choice.

Without the minotaurs holding it down, or rather, holding her down, as I soon learned the creature was female. My past self of course did not know yet, but it feels weird to keep calling her “it” all the time, doesn’t it?

Anyway, she tried to sit herself upright and get rid of her bonds, but was pushed back onto the table by my claw before she could make any real progress.

I could have ended it right there, a simple swipe of my claw, or a quick bite to the neck and everything would be over… but for some reason, my curiosity won over my desire to show this creature the consequence its mistake would normally have.

Looking back, I’m glad that my curiosity won out. Now listen carefully…

When my claw came in contact with her soft fur, it sunk right into her chest fluff. Not many creatures have those, you know? And those who do, meh, they are not even nearly as soft as hers, or so clean if we are speaking of minotaurs anyway.

But hers? It was warm and fluffy to touch, leaving a feeling of immense pleasure on my scales.

Feeling this I began to reconsider my first intention to harm her. Taking a second look, everything about this creature, I mean her, seemed to be made with the sole intention of being cuddly.

Not only her soft fur, or her half curly main hair, a mane as I know today, but also her tail, bushy and long compared to her general size and more than anything else her wings… so many fleecy feathers.

Forgive me if I am purring while I tell you this, but if you ever touched those feathers...

Well… ,so I began to feel her up with my free claw, fascinated by the pleasurable sensations her fur sent through my scales.

Ignoring my inspection of her body, she said, “I know you are upset for me being late, but I really tried to be on time, really!”

Like I said, I had never seen her before. Why did she pretend to have a date with me? I didn’t know.

What I did notice however, was how little respect she was giving me. I was currently pinning her to the table, displaying my dominance and superiority, and she had the audacity to speak to me like I was her equal, or worse… her friend. My annoyance had returned with this development.

I let my claw sink deeper into her belly fur, ready to cut her open.

Normally, my victims began to panic, screaming for mercy or trying to flee. She, however, spoke on, not even her heartbeat increasing from what I could tell, though, it was elevated before I even placed my claws on her.

“But still this is my business, you promised to not interfere in my affairs!” Now her voice had shifted to an accusing tone.

Such insolence! I couldn’t believe my ears at first, had she really said that? In that tone?

My first instinct was to sink my teeth into the flesh of her underbelly. Perhaps the pain it would cause would remind her how to behave in the presence of her betters!

My intention must have been obvious as one of the minotaurs pushed forward with a scream and swung his axe at my right shoulder.

How foolish, aiming for my shoulder of all places. Why not strike at my tail if he was deciding to waste my time anyway?

Still, I must admit, I had made a mistake by thinking they would have killed her without me showing up, considering he put his life at stake in a bumbling attempt to hinder me from ending it.

Quickly, I whipped my tail around and struck the axe. I barely needed to use any force to redirect the path of the axe. The minotaur failed to recognise what I had done, causing him to continue with his altered course, embing the axe deep into the table the creature was laying on.

The creature hastily moved to the side as best as she could, the minotaur no longer seemed to be concerned with her, nor of the axe he had wielded against me.

Rather, his gaze hung on my claw, embedded deep into his chest.

Hey, don’t judge me okay? He started it, I only defended myself. Well, yes, of course I could have spared his life and just knocked him out or so, but seriously, who do you think I am? The protector of widows and orphans? Please!

A bloody cough escaped his mouth when I pulled back my claw before he dropped to the ground shortly after.

“Noooo!” suddenly the other minotaur screamed, grabbing his axe and storming forward.

Had everyone lost their will to live that day? I really wondered where the sudden desire for death had come from, till I noticed how similar these two minotaurs looked.

Were they brothers? This thoughts suddenly crossed my mind.

It didn’t matter.

This one, as a pleasant surprise, had enough brain to use the full range of his weapon, even in his rage.

He held it at the very end of the shaft, giving him some distance between me and him. He may have thought he would be able to stay out of range for my claws, and, he was right.

He hadn’t considered the spikes at the end of my wings though.

I will say that the speed that he had wanted to use his axe with was considerable. However, I was faster impaling him with the spike on my wing before he could pose any real threat. I had aimed for his throat, but missed and hit his upper chest instead. His heavy axe had slipped from his grip when I hit him and flew behind me, producing the sound of something wooden cracking.

You don’t survive as long as I have in places like this without knowing how to fight. As thick as my scales are, I know they can’t protect me from everything, just saying.

I lifted the minotaur up, and damn, he was heavy. If it wouldn’t have been public I would have stepped closer or used my claws to lighten the load my wing was lifting. Unfortunately I had a reputation to keep and any sign of weakness was unacceptable.

Though, he was not dead yet.

He still had the guts to fight, grabbing my wing with both hands and trying to push himself off of it.

So much willpower… even I respect that.

I mean, we both knew that wound was already deadly and still he fights the inevitable.

That demanded an reward.

Pulling him closer with my wing, I brought his face directly in front of mine.

Our gaze met.

So much hate...

Definitely brothers, or, gay lovers, but I think brothers was more likely.

Again it didn’t really matter.

With a quick strike of my claw, I pierced his lower jaw and drove it into his skull, assuring the minotaur died instantly.

You very well could say he let the dispute go through his head again.

Hey, I said don’t judge me, it is an reward. A quick death, no longer suffering. Eh, maybe you need to be a dragon to understand.

Anyhow…

When the light in his eyes faded, I dropped his dead body, cleaned my claws on his clothes and looked around.

As expected, I was the center of attention, but no one seemed to really care about the death of the minotaurs.

In a place like this, death may be a common sight after all.

That was, except for one creature that seemed to very much care about the minotaur’s deaths. A griffon was trying to slowly move backwards from where the fight had been, until a wall behind him stopped his retreat.

I hadn’t really noticed him before, but thinking back on it, I think I remember him standing next to that new creature when she addressed me the first time.

Well, as long as he didn’t interfere with me or my newest prey I would let him live.

I am not a mindless killer, mind you. If I can find an easier solution I’ll use it. It just so happens that there are few solutions easier than violence, hey, not my fault.

Speaking of which, the creature had used the little distraction to halfway sit up and free its forelegs.

It was just about to free its other pair of legs when my claw landed on its chest and pressed it back onto the table. The fact I had been so rudely interrupted didn’t meant that I was finished with this creature, far from it. I had not forgotten how much she had annoyed me.

She of course tried to talk her way out of this and started to speak, only for me to cut her off with a growl as I brought my muzzle meer centimeters from hers. Baring my sharp teeth to make it clear she was only alive because I hadn’t gotten around to changing that yet, and it would be in her best interest to not add oil to that fire.

She gulped and remained silent.

Satisfied with her reaction, my anger abated enough for my curiosity to take over again. Or it could simply be that my bloodlust had been sated by the deaths of the two minotaurs, both could be true.

Be it as it will, I started to inspect the creatures body further.

Even back then, I took an unreasonable interest in her wings, so it was only natural I continued my examination there. I used my free claw to cut off the rope around her belly and grabbed her right wing. I stretched it out and played with her fleecy feathers for a moment. When I brushed over them, they playfully sprung back into position.

It was so fascinating!

Again I wondered, what kind of creature is this? Like I noticed before, everything about her seemed to just serve the purpose of being cuddly or cute.

Letting go of her feathers I moved around the table and stopped at the other end, giving her fluffy brown tail a closer look.

Unfortunately, there wasn’t anything about it to hold my interest besides the fact that it was indeed soft to touch. I stroked it a few times but then quickly lost interest.

It was at this moment that I finally noticed that this creature was female.

Yes, I told you already, but back then, it was then that I realised it.

I know, I should have already known from the soft voice and perhaps from the shape of her body if I only had a bit more experience with this kind of species. Well, now with a good view, I had no doubt in my mind that this was a female, since I learned some time ago what non-scaly females looked like down there.

When she, I mean the creature, noticed my attention was on her very private parts, she tried to cover them with her tail and hind legs.

I bet you could guess that this didn’t get my approval in any form!

I growled deeply, baring my fangs even more than last time. I mean, what would everyone think if I let some creature hide her good parts from my gaze, huh? Besides, I enjoyed the view, regardless of the fact that she was from a different species.

With me showing the heavy signs of annoyance, she started to sweat. I admit, it was impressive how she had played cool the first time I gave her attention, now however, she knew I was pissed.

I underlined that impression by ripping off big chunk of wood from the table.

Finally, she looked to the side and removed the obstructions she had placed between us that blocked my view of her privates.

Much better.

Not that I had planned to take advantage of that, not in public, I do have standards, but my male pride was satisfied.

Spending a few moments, enjoying the view, I thought about what I wanted to do with her. There was still the idea of killing her… In my defense, back then, that was how I solved most of my problems.

On the other claw, my interest in this creature was growing stronger and stronger, I wanted to cuddle it. No, that is nothing I be ashamed of, dragons do collect valuable things and something this cuddly, well, you get the idea.

Putting that thought on the backburner, I moved on and completed my examination of her, stopping by her head again.

In the meantime her face had turned red.

My, my, she showed very little signs of fear previously, but shame, shame she was able to feel in spades.

So adorable!

Without noticing, I had started to purr. Now that was embarrassing, black dragons didn’t purr! What kind of behaviour would that be for a predator species like me, huh? No one would scream ‘look the Black Death, run for your life’ anymore, instead, ‘oh look, the purring lizard.’

No, not with me!

So when I realized I was purring, I knew I had to end it, immediately!

I lowered my head, moved it along her throat and down her underbelly, stopping an inch above her stomach, ready to bite.

And what did she do? She licked my throat! I tell you, there was me, going to kill her and all she was doing was licking my damn throat. Oh and if that wasn’t enough, she also used her soft feathers to stroke the side of my neck, several centimeters above where it met my torso

This damn, clever, seductive pegasus! Yeah, I know I didn't know that her species was called pegasus at the time but I do now, so let me use the right name.

No one had ever tried to seduce me this shamelessly and directly before. No, I am not a virgin, I had some fun already, why do you think I was able to play this cool by looking at her private parts, huh? But still, this level of softness, cuteness, fluffyness…

Urg, this is the reason she calls me big softy sometimes.

Anyhow, I stopped my attempt to kill her that moment and enjoyed her caresses instead. What I didn’t enjoy though was that fact that I had begun to purr again. How embarrassing! I can’t do much to control it though, not even today.

When I felt I had damaged my reputation enough, I pulled back my head, straighten up, and looked down on her.

Did I mentioned her big, hazelnut coloured eyes? Really, considering how small she was, her eyes were huge, way too big for her little head. Like I said, made to be cute would be a good description for the pegasus species.

I don’t remember what I was trying to say at that moment, it was blown away. When our gaze met after her tender acts of affection, I was in great danger to get lost in these eyes.

Coming back to reality I realised neither of us had moved for some time. Remembering what she had said earlier I figured I might as well play along with her little ruse of us having a date planned. Besides, after that little show I was confused more than anything. “The dinner got cold while I waited for you!” I sent a little cloud of smoke out of my nostrils with these words, dragon, remember? “You promised to be on time!”

It took her a moment to follow my sudden change of mind, but when she understood I was playing along with her story, she quickly got into character. “Hey, it was not my fault, it was his!” She pointed at the griffon that had tried to back away earlier.

With my attention shifted to him the griffon squeaked and tried to run.

A sudden breath of fire along the path he was taking had the gryphon jump back in shock, unwilling to tempt me to actually aim for him.

“Don’t you dare!” I growled, gesturing for him to immediately come back to the table.

Hesitantly, he followed my unspoken order, his eyes moving quickly around, looking for a way to escape.

“I… I... “ he gulped, “I have done nothing wrong,” he said.

I growled more deeply.

“Sir, I… I mean, Mr dragon, Sir.” He extended his wings and raised his paws. “No...no… I did nothing, I swear,” he stuttered.

“You stole my collar of fire!” the pegasus shouted. “Give it back!”

“I didn’t steal it!” Now the griffons voice was more confident. “I paid you to get it for me, it is mine!”

“Liar!” was her response. “You told me it was an easy job, get in, grab the collar and get out, no guards, no traps, a damn easy job!”

Oh I knew where this was going after this short wordfight already. This kind of stuff was nothing out of the ordinary around here. Best to cut it short and avoid the inevitable drama, easier for every creature, don’t you think? At least that was my thought process back then.

“Where is it now?” I interrupted them harshly.

Both of them looked at me, the griffon fearfully, the pegasus, mhh, concerned I guess, not sure if was due to my aggression or the thought that I might just steal the collar for myself.

They exchanged a look.

“I said, where is it now!” I repeated, whipping my tail impatiently on the ground.

The griffon winced at the sound and quickly replied, “In my pocket, it is in my pocket.”

“Give it to me!” I demanded and reached out with my claw.

“It is mine!” the pegasus protested and tried to get up while the griffon hecticly rummaged in his pocket.

This time I let her get up, though, I had no intention of giving the collar to her.

“There, there it is,” the griffon said and pulled the collar out of his pocket, showing it to me.

I must say I had expected something more… mh… something, just something more. All I could see was a silver collar, more of a bracelet if you think in dragon sizes. And besides some little engravings along its sides, there was not even enough details and embellishments to suggest the craftsman that made this possessed a great deal of skill.

It could have at least been out of gold, right?

Still, when the griffon hold it up, the little pegasus was fast in her attempt to grab it. Not fast enough though.

I closed my claw around the collar. “I’ll take this.”

“You can’t… “ she started, trying to open my claw.

Enough is enough, even though I adored her looks, there is a limit to the insolence I was willing to put up with in one day.

With a roar I grabbed her midsection with my free claw and smashed her back onto the table, forcing the air out of her lungs from the impact. Before she could recover, I had also opened my snout and placed my jaws on both sides of her throat, growling threatly.

Finally, really, finally she showed some signs of real fear and respect to who I was. She closed her eyes and panted heavily. To my great pleasure, her heart beat like a drum too now.

I stood there this way for a few second before I pulled back my head slowly. I kept my eyes on her during the process, looking out for any sign of her getting back to her confident self too quickly. Fortunately, everything was as it should be. Even with my teeth removed, she panted heavily and didn’t dare to move.

I let my claw clicking on the table for a while, thinking the situation through and comparing my options.

“You,” I looked down at the griffon who had thrown himself down when I had smashed the pegasus on the table, “come here!”

I realised now that reclaiming my reputation as a deadly dragon had backfired, this idiot was too fearful to even move anymore. All he could do was shiver in fear and… was he praying? Honestly, I never know what to think of this religion stuff, and now was not the time to do so either.

I tried again to shout at him to get him to move, but he only shivered more.

Urg, if you want something done right you need to do it yourself!

I stepped over to him and grabbed him with my claw, lifting him up. Of course he screamed in fear and wet himself.

Disgusting!

“Listen!” I shouted at him and when I had his attention I added, “you know where my cave is?”

He nodded so fast that I feared for a second his head would fall of.

“Good, in one hour, she,” I pointed at the pegasus, “will be at my cave ready for our date. Understood?”

Again, quickly nodding.

“Second, she will be properly dressed, nothing toò complicated though.”

Nodding.

I placed him back on the ground. “See,” I stroked his chest feathers softly, bringing them back in order, “nothing a reasonable conversation can’t fix. Just keep in mind,“ I lifted his chin up with one of my sharp talons, “I will make you responsible if she is late, or anything else goes wrong,” I brought my head closer and looked him straight into the eyes, “understood?”

He only nodded. Hadn’t I already established the respect that I was to be treated with, I would not let this stand. I shook him for a moment until my point came across.

“Ye...Yes, sir.”

“Very well,” I replied, turning around and moving towards the exit. “And you,” I spoke to the pegasus, “bring some food, then you can tell me more about this,” I waved with the collar,” artifact.”

I moved on but stopped again when I reached the door. “One more thing,” I turned my head to face her. “What's your name fluffy?”

“Danger,” she said.

“Danger who?”

“Danger Do.”

I chuckled. “Well, I’ll call you Darling Do then.”

I pushed the door open and left. I knew it was common practise to give the barkeeper a few bits after one made a mess in the tavern, but I had a feeling that this time they would be willing to make an exception.