Warning: Consequences

The yellow dragon offered Avelina his hand as they exited of the vehicle. She took it after a moment’s hesitation. A path to a large construction scaffolding elevator was cleared of debris and laid with cleaned tarp. The yellow dragon pulled her along.

A light breeze fluttered through their manes. The humidity broke slightly as clouds moved across the moon.

Avelina huffed as she pulled back at his hand attempting to slow his pace. The glossy tip of his cane pressed a yellow and black button. A barrier of fencing creaked as it slid open. Heavy scratches marred the yellow floor.

He pulled Avelina inside and let her stand next to him. Two of his staff in black suits wedged in behind them. The hum of the lift burrowed into the night air as they rose. An arm coiled about her waist to pull her into the heat of his scales.

“You know,” he said, “At one time, dragons could fly. Well, western dragons at the very least. Eastern dragons crawled around on the ground like worms.”

Avelina narrowed her eyes as she stared up at him.

He snickered, teeth clicked, “Does that offend you? Well, if it makes you feel better. In your legends the western dragons are barbarians that couldn’t defeat humans until the eastern dragons saved them. Everyone tells the story that makes them looks best, truth be damned.”

“With all due respect, isn’t the lack of flight a story the Church of Dragon teaches you to make you feel worse about ourselves. According to science, your wings are vestigial and eastern dragons never had them. Flight was an evolutionary adaptation we lost. It had nothing to do with the sun god punishing us for our weaknesses.”

“What does your country know about the Church of Dragon. It’s not really a thing here. You still follow the ancient teachings about these islands being special or some nonsense.”

Avelina stiffened, “Origins 7:12 And so the Sun God looked upon the greed of the dragons and cast them out of the Eternal Vale. For your greed and love of gold, you will never cease to crawl upon the earth. My father was a devotee. I even memorized several verses. Trying to claim only western dragons could fly isn’t going to make me feel any respect for a dragon who refuses to tell me his name.”

He laughed as the elevator struggled upwards, “You have a big mouth for a secretary. No wonder your husband vanished. You were probably too much woman for him! No worries, I do enjoy a challenge. You forgot the tea set. I’ll have someone bring it later. As for my name, you can call me sir.”

The fence slid open with an industrial clatter. A ramp led to the unfinished ceiling. A clean tarp tightly embraced the floor. Rails bolted over a raised platform protected a small table from toppling.

From the right corner, a dragon in a black suit aimed a sniper rifle over a rail towards a lit warehouse.

The tip of the cane tapped against the tarp. The yellow dragon let go of Avelina’s hand and walked briskly. His nostril tensed as he inhaled the ocean breeze.

Avelina looked around. One of the black suited guards already vanished, presumably on the way to retrieve the tea set. Her tail dragged against the tarp as she tiptoed quietly toward the platform, but stopped just behind the platform on the tarp.

The orb on the yellow dragon’s staff glowed a brilliant violet in one hand as he surveyed the warehouse through a looking glass with the other. When the looking glass returned to the table he curled a clawed index finger at Avelina. In moments, her cool body felt his warmth. His hand set firmly on her shoulder and push her against him.

“Avelina, consider this your baptism by fire. You’re going to witness something that you must be careful not to talk about with the wrong people. Loose lips sink ships after all. Do you understand?”

She curled a bit to make herself smaller, “I think so. But what exactly am I going to witness?”

“You’re going to witness the art of influence. You do know of artifacts, correct?”

“The historical relics that the World Artifact Foundation collects? They’re just religious and cultural artifacts or old items with historical relevance. I don’t believe they have any special powers.”

“Don’t tell me what you think I want to hear, tell me what you really believe. I’ll know the difference.”

“I think there’s more to it that we’re not being told. But it’s not like we can do anything about it. If some of the artifacts are truly dangerous then it is better they are in capable hands.”

The edges of the yellow dragon’s mouth curled upwards, “You are worth more than schedule planner. Marvelous. Yes, they can have very dangerous abilities. But we must contend with those that think ordinary people can freely handle such power with no ill consequences. Their voices grow louder over time. Every generation of so, we must allow the world to see a demonstration of consequences.”

“Consequences, sir?”

“Yes, consequences. You’ll understand this when you’re running your own organization, because you’ll have the indispensable tasks of opening this little island nation to the world. Usually, you should lead with influence and reward, make yourself indispensable to the existence of your employees. But on occasion, you’ll require fear.”

Avelina put a hand to her chest, “You actually find someone like me capable enough to manage a major NGO?”

A slight huff of smoke puffed out his nose, “Are you insulting my discernment?”

“No sir.”

“Good girl. Now stand quietly and watch the show. It’ll be most educational.”

Gulls cried at each other. Ocean waves continued their gentle rumble. Lights from streetlamps and the interior city dimmed the stars. Large black vans passed through the police barricade. Patrol cars followed quietly behind. No lights or sirens accompanied their movements. Soft footsteps graced the metal construction stairways. Bodies shuffled upon roof tops.

A slight squawk of a handheld radio set interrupted the peace.

A black suited red dragon approached with a respectful salute, “Sir, the sniper teams are ready at every vantage point. There’s no angle the suspect can exit the facility. The police have the building surrounded. We’ve confirmed the suspect is most likely inside. It’s possible that there’s an accomplice.”

The sound of approaching helicopters competed with the laps of waves against concrete barriers. The staff pressed firmly into the platform as aura peeled through fingers wrapping the orb.

“Not an accomplice, a hostage. A dear friend of mine who is most important to me. We’re to take no measures that may endanger his life. Order the local police to hold fire. We’re to handle this peacefully until I give the order otherwise.”

“Very well sir. We can contact the suspect whenever you’re ready.”

“Did you trace phone signatures?”

“Yes, his device is encoded. It shut down as soon as we attempted access.”

“Smart, I can’t wait to meet him. Hail the suspect, let him know we’re waiting for a grand escape attempt.”

“Yes sir.”

The police helicopter reached the warehouse. It hovered above the building to drown out other sounds.