Choice

“Me? Help free the dragons? Look, as much as I would like to do that, there is no way I’m strong enough.” Aiden said hesitantly.

“You underestimate yourself. You saved me from four men who had me pinned down with just one swing of your sword.” Veltheryn said, trying to convince him.

“My sword? What do you mean?” Aiden asked, looking at the sword on the ground.

“It came out of the same portal you did. As far as I am concerned, it belongs to you.” She glanced at it. “Could you pick it up? I would like a closer look.”

“Sure.” He walked over to the sword, picking it up with ease. 

This was also the first time he’s been able to get a good look at it. Looking to be at least five feet long, including the blade. The blade was wide with a pointed tip that had two grooves going down both sides. It also had four holes near the bottom of the blade, going vertically in the center that got smaller. After looking at it for a few moments, he held it up so she could see it better.

“To the naked eye, this sword looks normal. How does it feel holding it?”

“It’s strange, I didn’t notice before, but I feel a faint tug like when I used magic.”

“I see. Hmmmm.” She had a pondering look. “Its secrets lie with you to unlock.”

“Do you really think we can free the other dragons? I don’t have any fighting experience where I come from.”

“I have a feeling it will come more naturally than you realize. And yes, I do believe we stand a good chance.”

“That means, I will have to kill… doesn’t it?“ Aiden asked, but he already knew what she would say.

“Correct. It is something that will be impossible to avoid.”

Aiden sighed, stabbing the sword into the ground.

“You came out of that portal for a reason.” She said, trying to convince him more.

“I know, I know. I just… I just have to wrap my head around actually doing it.”

“I don’t know if I will be able to do this, but I have to try. For hundreds of years, both dragons and humans have been killed because of all this.”

“Ok,” He took a deep breath before continuing, “I’m assuming there must be a city nearby?”

“Correct. It is the only city I know of since I have never left here.”

“So presumably there is more out there.” He sighed again, “Let’s start with this one and see how it goes. What is this city called?”

“Solara.”

“Ok,” He took a deep breath, looking outside the cave. It is now dark out. “We will have to lie low for a while to see how to approach this. That means you will have to pretend to be my dragon slave for a while.”

“As long as I do not have to wear that collar, it will be fine.”

“Ok, good. Now, another problem.” Aiden put his hands in his pockets.

“And that is?”

“I have no form of money. What kind of currency is used here?” Aiden pulled the inside of his pockets out to show that they were empty.

“Gold, and do not worry. I have a small stash hidden outside this cave.”

“Well, that solves that.” Aiden sighs, “Now, all that’s left is to find a way to carry this sword.”

“Use your magic.”

“What?” Aiden had a confused look on his face.

“Pass some of your magic into the sword, then put it behind you. It forms a link.”

Aiden pulled the sword out of the ground and pushed some of his magic into the sword.

“She hasn’t been wrong yet.”

He put the sword on his back as if a sheath were there and let go. Being surprised but also not at the same time, it just stayed there.

“Well, that’s handy. I think everything else is figured out for now.” He yawned, “We just need to sleep and we can start tomorrow.”

“Agreed.” She spun and laid down like a cat. “It will get cold, lean up against me.”

“You sure?”

She nodded.

He stabbed his sword into the ground again and walked over to her. He sat down between her front and back leg, gently leaning against her side.

“You certainly are warm.”

“Perks of being a dragon.” She laid her head down on the ground near him, closing her eyes.

“Good night, Veltheryn.”

“Good night?” She asked, opening her eyes.

“Oh, right, it must be a human thing. It means to have a good sleep.”

“Oh. Well, in that case, good night, Aiden.” She said softly.

He leaned his head against her and sighed.

“This is insane. First, I fall from an earthquake, thinking I’m about to die, to waking up in another world where humans have enslaved dragons. I’m sure I’ll have to buy new clothes so I won't stand out too much.” He looked down at himself, “I’m still in my normal clothes. I guess that means a portal must have opened up right before I would have hit the ground. So, I didn’t die, that’s good at least. I closed my eyes so I didn’t see it happen.” He leaned his head against her again. “She really is warm. I wonder why she took to me so quickly. She even caught me out of the air, which is why those guys were even here to begin with. They saw a dragon flying. She must have known the risk.” He sighed again. “Will I be able to… kill someone? I’m still not sure, but dragons don’t seem bad in this world. I have magical powers now, and who knows what else I can do, so doing nothing isn’t an option.”

*low rumble*

*zzzZzzz*

“That was fast. I still wonder why she trusts me so much, considering I am a human. She didn’t question me when I told her I was from another world.” He shook his head, “I better get some sleep, big day tomorrow.”

Aiden proceeded to get comfy against her side. Despite his mind roaring with thoughts, he fell asleep rather quickly. He did have an eventful day after all. They both lightly snore the night away, as the unknown of tomorrow starts when they awaken.