It begins

Aiden woke up slightly confused. It took him a minute or two to remember where he was. Looking around the cave and seeing the dragon, he was still leaning against her, which solidified that this was all real. Veltheryn was still sleeping, and he didn’t want to wake her, so he got up slowly. Once he was a few feet from her, he stretched.

“I have to pee. Guess I’ll go find a bush.” 

He left the cave, still a little groggy as he searched for a bush. The forest was like paradise compared to the city in his world. He took a little walk, exploring a bit before finding an area he figured was far enough away from the cave to do his business. After he was done, he started heading back.

On his way back, he saw an apple tree. Well, he thought it was an apple. It looked like one, but certainly didn’t taste like one. It was still good, it was just not what he was expecting.

When he returned, he saw that Veltheryn was sitting outside the cave.

“Good morning, Vel.” He said.

“Vel?” She looked at him, confused.

“Just to shorten your name a bit. I can use your full name if you want.”

“No… It is ok. Vel… I like it.” She smiled.

“Good, glad I didn’t offend you.” He took a breath, “So, where is the gold you have stashed?”

Instead of answering, she walked over to a big tree nearby.

*THWACK*

She smacked the tree with her tail. A few pouches started falling from the top.

“I never would have guessed up a tree.” He said, walking over to a pouch and picking it up. There must have been ten that fell.

“I do not know how much this is.” She said.

“We will find out together then. Let’s just hope it’s enough for food and a place to stay for a while before we figure out how to free the dragons.” He tied them all together and hooked them on his belt.

“Well, that looks silly.” She laughed a little.

“Yeah, I’ll have to buy a bag in town, along with new clothes.”

“I was thinking your attire was… Strange.”

“These clothes are normal in my world.” He said as he walked into the cave to get his sword and put it on his back.

“Have you ever been in the air before?” She asked as he came out.

“Once or twice, but it will be nothing compared to riding on you.”

“Who said you were going to ride on me?” She smiled.

“Ha ha. Guess I’ll wait to grow wings.” He joked, making her smile more.

“Climb on up then.” She laid down and lowered her wing like a ramp.

He started climbing up her wing, hoping he wasn’t hurting her. He found a spot between two of her spikes and sat down, holding onto the one in front of him.

“I guess we should land before the city gate, don’t want them to start shooting magic at us before we even get there.” He said.

“A wise decision.” She stood up with her wings out, “Hold on tight.”

She tensed her legs like a cat ready to pounce and flapped her wings hard as she jumped into the air. Jumping at least 100 feet into the air before flapping her wings again. Aiden held on surprisingly well as she kept rising into the sky. Once the forest they were in became small, she extended her wings so they could glide over the land.

“This is amazing!” Aiden still held tight.

Aiden looked at the forest below, which had been almost completely surrounded by mountains with only a small pathway next to a river that connected to a lake, settled in the middle of the forest. Following the river, he sees in the distance that it splits at a point. One side is going to the right, while the other is going straight towards the city.

“You doing ok back there?” She asked.

“I’m great!” He said with a big smile on his face.

“Good! We will be there in no time.”

“I can’t believe I’m flying through the air on the back of a dragon.” He took in the sight of everything. “Huh?” He stopped looking around; he felt something.

“Vel, do you feel it too?”

“Yes, we have company.”

He didn’t know it was that; he just knew something was close. Suddenly, a big red dragon that was easily three times the size of Vel came from behind them and started gliding beside them on the right. The dragon had on one of the collars that Vel was talking about.

“Your dragon has no collar!” The man riding the red dragon yelled over.

“Is that a problem?” Aiden asked him.

“Only if your dragon makes it a problem! Land just before the city!” He yelled back.

“I was going to already!” Aiden was kinda worried now, but they can’t turn back now.

“Good! See you down there!” He quickly flew off with the red dragon.

“Vel, do other dragons not talk?” Aiden asked.

“With the collar on, no!” She responded, but with a hint of sadness.

“That sucks. I guess for now, just let me talk, okay?”

She just nodded.

“This is bad. I had hoped we could get in without much trouble. I don’t want to start a fight just yet.”

“Hold on tight, I am going to land,” Vel said as she started to descend fast. Tucking in her wings to go faster like a bullet. When the ground was almost there, she opened her wings and stopped almost in an instant, gently landing on the ground.

“I must be stronger than in my world. I feel like that would have just about killed me before.”

“Good job, Vel.” He said as he patted the back of her neck.

“Off your dragon!” The man who was riding the red dragon yelled. “And put your weapon on the ground!”

“Okay, okay.” Aiden sighed. Vel lowered herself and made a ramp with her wings again.

Climbing off Vel, he walked over to the man and put his sword on the ground. He noticed the other guards had their weapons drawn and all their dragons were behind them.

“I am Hadrik, Commander of the Guard. What is your name, and why are you here?” He loomed over Aiden, trying to be intimidating.

“My name is Aiden, and I was thinking of moving to this city.”

“Move here? Where are you from?”

“Crap.”

“Is that really necessary to know?” Aiden asked, hoping Hadrik would just let it go.

Hadrik leaned in, staring down Aiden.

“He really is trying to intimidate me. For some reason, I’m not at all.”

“Hmmm, I suppose you don’t have to say.” Hadrik stood up straight and looked at Val. “Now, why doesn’t your dragon have a collar?”

“She doesn’t need one,” Aiden replied.

“Oh?” Hadrik walked over to Val, “It’s rare to get a fully obedient dragon.” He went to reach out and touch her.

“Don’t touch her!” Aiden yelled before realizing it. The guy's hand stopped and turned around.

“Fine, fine,” Hadrik said as he walked over to one of his men.

“Am I free to enter the city now?” Aiden asked.

“Go on through.” He said without looking at Aiden. The rest of the guards put their weapons away.

Aiden bent down to pick up his sword and put it on his back. “Come on, Vel.” She nodded as they started to walk towards the gate, but just as they were about to pass under it…

*KTHUNK*

Aiden looked over at Vel, who now had a collar around her neck.