Spring, 1423

Jayna dejectedly threw her saddle atop Bucephalus and mounted her horse. It was now four days after her encounter with the dragon and she still had no idea as to her next steps-she was unsure of what to even say to Chagraff about the attempt.

The Arcadian cause was sputtering and Jayna was out of ideas. Morale would not improve and without Professor Mahn they had no guidance or direction. The Arcadian leader bit her lip: she felt deeply out of her element, and she wished someone else could have led this rebellion instead of her.

For the briefest of moments Jayna considered turning and just riding off, giving up on this wild and crazy attempt to make the world a better place, and instead locate a small valley somewhere to wait out the increasing horrors of the world.

There she shook her head, mentally brushing away these poisonous thoughts.

The world was bad, and Jayna could not stand aside and watch it get worse.

The only thing she could do was believe that the old professor had made the right choice in appointing her to command.

The Arcadian leader pointed her horse back toward camp. She'll come up with something. Sometimes all one could do was have a vague faith in things working out.

The light of the sky abruptly dimmed, followed immediately by the sound of beating wings. Instinctively Jayna looked up, somehow knowing without quite understanding. A familiar giant reptile circled around her above, then landed thunderously nearby.

Jayna struggled to reign in Bucephalus and keep the panicking horse from throwing her. After riding in a few circles, she managed to get her mount under control, much to the wyrm's amusement. Then the Arcadian leader dismounted and after a pause, hesitantly approached the dragon.

Now under the full light of day, Jayna could take in the full majesty of the Stanton Dragon, with shining scales and unfurled wings catching the glow of the sun. For the first time she also noticed scars; ugly gashes marred the giant reptile's arm and belly, as well as a missing left digit in his left paw. The grizzled wyrm had gone through battles.

The great dragon waited until the Arcadian commander was close, then bowed, his voice calmly booming across the landscape.

“Very well, Jayna Durham. I will join in your little quest; for the memory of your grandfather and for his and my own youthful view of good in the world. I have made peace with my children and my grandchildren, and I am prepared to die to allow your idealism to last just a bit longer.” The wyrm looked up, with a touch of humor and sadness. “My mate is dead and nothing can bring her back, my children are grown and gone, and I have grown old and bitter; I guess I have a life to give for someone else’s dreams.”

The Arcadian leader could barely keep herself from collapsing as relief overwhelmed her.

Finally, she managed to whisper:

“Thank you.”

The dragon walked over and leaned down, gently nuzzling his new companion.

“I put my faith in you. I hope you can make me proud.

Jayna hugged the dragon's snout. “I hope I can as well.”

For a few minutes the two remained embraced like that. Then, gently, tenderly, the Arcadian leader raised a hand out, touching the dragon’s cheek.

“This isn't a dream. You're here. You're here to help us.” She muttered.

“I'm here to help you, Jayna Durham. Now-” the wyrm leaned back and sat upon his haunches. “What would you have me do?”

The Arcadian leader nodded. “We go back to the revolutionary encampment. I will introduce you around to my officers and companions. It would greatly help morale for our people to know that the Stanton Dragon stands with them.

The bronze wyrm abruptly stopped, then shook his head.

“Please cease calling me the Stanton Dragon. I am not tied to the town.”

“Then what is your name then?”

“My Draconic name is Meratezatgh of the Southern Ranges, but your grandfather once called me Mera.”

“Mera it is then." Jayna bowed back to the dragon. "Welcome Mera, to the Revolution.”

---

Bruce Springsteen - Darkness On the Edge of Town

From  Chickenzaur!