"Why would they do that? I thought humans liked adding to their packs." Scarla asked, her great red body lying down next to the young boy. He seemed so dejected. So saddened by his banishment from the human village. She found it strange that they would reject him. He was small yes, but that was because he was young. The young tended to grow large over time. There was no real reason she could think of that other humans should hate Ben so intensely.

Ben sighed and slumped further into himself.

"I'm cursed. I always have been. Wherever I walk, trouble follows. They don't want me bringing that trouble to them." He murmured. Luckily, Scarla's hearing was far beyond that of humans. She could hear him clearly.

She snorted.

"Fairy tales! Curses don't exist. They are made to scare hatchlings into behaving . . . and to banish humans from their kind apparently." A snarl escaped her jaw.

"Trouble follows all of us. I had plenty of troubles before you came along. Your presence did not give me more."

Ben looked up at her. He seemed unwilling to be convinced but he was listening. This was the first time she had spoken to him like this. She was usually so harsh and disinterested in him. He wondered what changed.

"Heh. Never thought you'd be so encouraging." Ben sniffed, wiping his nose against his sleeve. The dragon flicked her tail at the words.

"I am not trying to be encouraging. I am stating the truth. If the truth is encouraging then so be it." She lowered her head to Ben's, her sharp eyes piercing his. "If the other humans want to fear false tales and shadows, then let them. But do not let them convince you that such nonsense exists. You are human who is sitting and speaking with a very real dragon and you are still very much alive after doing so. No curse runs your life." Her jaws parted slightly. Ben had learned this was a dragon's equivalent of smiling. She was smiling at him.

"I'd say they cursed themselves for ever having spited you."





I still love these two. I have a little story with them as well. Usually dragons and humans don't mix but these two have been working on that problem.



Art © shadowofnights