The Dragon's Den

Mysherra!

Mysherra!

Mysherra! Look!

Look at this! I found a sword! A real sword! It must have been left behind by a soldier!

Yes. I can see that.

You don’t— You are not bedazzled? Gaze upon the pristine edge of this glistening saber of… Of…

Of…?

Of— Of Nightbane! Nightbane, the blade said to be tainted by the Devil’s hand, where only the fairest and strong willed of wielders can withstand its blackened power! This blade—

Is a claymore. One you can barely swing.

I can swing it! You—Ah. S-Stay thy tongue, dragon! Bear witness to—Agh!

(Amun-ra، ساعدني) ‘amun rae, saeidni… See what happens when you try to play soldier, child? You almost lopped your foot off.

Sorry, your Grace… I just—

I know. But you cannot go about being a warrior just by lifting a sword.

Yes, your Grace…

And you cannot be a warrior just by changing how you speak either.

I know! But I want nothing more than to end this war! Such meaningless death over creatures that feel just like us isn’t right. If only the Pope could see that dragons are just good as humans…

We are creatures of instinct. He has every right to fear us.

Not you. Ever since that fire, I’ve been looking to you as… well, a light. You pulled me from the flames and baptized me in water. I am forever grateful for that.

I only did so as the sole protector of your home.

The reason does not matter! You did what you could to protect us. Unfortunately, we humans are capable of sins just like dragons are. The people that burned the town to get to you should have known you devour flames as your nature dictates!

I do not eat fire. I… Gods, please just be quiet.

Are you well, Mysherra?

I’m— I am fine. Just… The memory…

Oh. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you remember.

The bodies… the cries… Damned humans… had I not been treated so kindly, I would have never felt this. This pain.

Mysherra?

I would be no different from those beasts, haplessly slaughtering all they saw fit, For nothing more than entertainment. Oh, to be brainless, instinctual and savage, devoid of this cursed conscience…

But that is what makes you who you are. If God did not give us a conscience—

If you have so much faith in your God, then why didn’t he prevent this from happening!?

Wha—

I— I’m sorry. I—I did not mean what I said.

It’s–It’s alright. Though, it is dangerous to say such things. What possessed you to say that? Are you angry at me?

No.

Are you angry at God?

No? I— I don’t know, I—

The world?

No…

The war?

No!

The people that burned the—

Enough damn you!

But– But if this devours you then you won’t be given penance…

…

Do you remember what happened the day of the fires?