I clutched the egg tighter, but there was no mistaking it: this baby was ready to come out. I needed to get back to Wizard Ruillen, and fast.
I didn't know much about baby dragons, but I knew enough about baby animals in general. Upon hatching, chicks tend to become very attached to the first being they encounter. Once Shep had one follow him around for an entire summer. I swear it would've barked if it could!
The only problem was, if I moved even a few feet, the circling wyverns would notice me. The staff was a great comfort, but I didn't know if I could hold off both of them. I had no choice but to wait for them to leave.
Meanwhile the egg continued to move. I could even hear soft grunts and whistles from within. "I'm not going to make it back in time," I thought. Just then the first tiny crack appeared in the egg.
Less than an hour later, a little dragon napped in my lap. It was a beauty, with metallic ruby red and dazzling gold scales.
"I wonder if it's already attached to me? If so, will it accept a new master?"
I'd heard of people raising dragons in the past, but it hadn't been done in at least three generations. It was said that the dragon and handler worked together as equals, but there really wasn't any information about the process, or even the basic care of the animal.
The sun was high overhead when the wyverns were finally out of sight. I gently put the little creature on my shoulder, and began the long trek home.
Unsure of how Wizard Ruillen or the dragon would react, I found myself making excuses to stop as I approached home. Each time, the dragon played, much like a puppy.
"Maybe I can visit you once a week. And after the harvest, I'll be moving in, to start my real training! Oh, don't worry. You'll like him, and he's going to love you," I assured him.
When we got close to the farm, Shep came out to greet us. Soon the old dog and baby dragon were acting as if they'd always known each other. I couldn't help but laugh when they made up their own version of follow the leader.
When I walked into the yard, the little dragon was resting on my shoulder, tired from playing.
Wizard Ruillen was sitting on my chopping block, grinning from ear to ear. I handed him the dragon, who immediately leaped back onto my shoulder.
We tried a few more times, with the same results. Wizard Ruillen sighed, and went over to sit in the comfortable rocker on the porch.
I followed. "We'll figure it out. He will take to you eventually," I assured him.
He looked towards the chicken coop, then over at Shep basking in the sun. A hen sat next to the old dog, eagerly awaiting any insect unfortunate enough to get ideas about irritating him.
"I don't think that's likely, William. Look at Jane there, she still thinks Shep is the closest thing to family. No, this little one is yours now. I'll help you bring him up right, but ultimately his future is up to you."
I sat down on the steps, cradling the little dragon. I finally admitted to myself that I had hoped from the moment I saw him that it would be this way.
Smiling at Wizard Ruillen, I nodded. "We'll raise him together, while you teach me. He will know you, as well as he will me. After all, without you he would think he's a wyvern by now."
The end!
Cover image made in Canva Pro using their gallery
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