By: Rowina

By the gods.. if only everyday were as peaceful as this... The young man thought as he walked through the woods that day. Birds sang their own melodies, some complicated and some simple. A mouse scurried across the tiny deer trail and the young man had the veer to the side to avoid stepping on it. "Rodents.." He muttered with a wry smile on his rugged face. "They're always hurrying were ever they go..."

Sabastian Quinn remembered a time when he was the same. Always hurrying were ever he went. Never stopping to think. He grinned and stopped in his tracks to take a deep breath of the fresh air around him The lush forest shrubbery surrounded him. Everywhere he looked there were earthy smells and colors. He looked around and a quick shiny glare on the ground caught his eyes. He looked from where it came and saw a copper coin.. Hmmmm, he thought, An odd place to find this. He picked it up and studied the smooth coin. On one side was the face of some great ruler, on the other was a depiction of a sword. The earmark of the land of Salotha. Strange.. he wondered, that's over five months travel from here. The folk in this land have little need of transaction with such people. And a merchant wouldn't use a deer trail anyway. He shrugged and placed the coin in his pocket. Oh well, guess whoever had it has no need of it now.

Sabastian continued his walk at a slightly faster pace. Looking above he saw that it was near the afternoon and he wanted to reach the next town before nightfall. The Kagonesti Forest was not a place to be caught in at night. Especially considering the fact that the Kagonesti elves had little love for human barbarians. Sabastian grinned at the though of being called a barbarian. He remembered the time when he was thought to be one of the most civilized scholars in all of Celestian, the capital city of humans in Borinquien. Now he was a no longer associated with the arts of reading and writing, but the arts of fighting. He unconsciously touched the great sword he carried. He was covered with weapons. His great sword, six dirks, bolas, schirakins, and a belt with assorted pouches of small destructive spells. Spells such as: sleeping smoke, regular smoke, and a small rain making potion, to name a few. Anything to disorient an enemy. And Sabastian Quinn only had one enemy in life, therefore only one goal in life.

The next town over, he must get there. Then he would rest. Yes, one more town, rest, and then.. then the fun would begin.

The walk was not tiring since the terrain was so flat, but the forest got dark quickly as he walked into the middle of it's rich vegetation and Sabastian found that his hand was constantly was on the dirk on his hip. He'd been walking for a good week now, and the weight of his scale armor was beginning to be felt by every inch of his being. He sighed and paused a moment to stretch properly.

"What I wouldn't give for a long soak in a thermal spring..." he murmured as he stretched. He placed his hands on his lean strong hips and breathed in deeply, then exhaled just as quickly. His nostrils flared and his eyebrows arched. It was there, that familiar scent he knew so well. It wasn't necessarily a bad smell, rather it smelt very metallic. A sort of rustic smell that stuck to your nostril and tingled in the back of your throat. He stood stalk still and felt the hairs on his skin rise. The forest about him fell silent and he cursed because he should have detected the silence sooner. There was nothing to be done about it though, he'd missed it and now all he could do was pray to the gods that it didn't get him killed.

"I didn't expect to see one so soon." he swore quietly. He cursed under his breath and felt his heart beat quicken. "Well, lets see what we have.. interesting.."

He cocked his eyebrows and ears. The smell was still in the air, getting stronger as he continued to walk.. but noise was returning back to the forest. The birds went back to work, a number of guinea hens squawked from a nearby tree, and a family of opossums began to play in there treetop homes. Unless this was illusion, Sabastian expected no threat. Still, after years of his job, Sabastian knew not to leave things to chance.. for Chance was a loose mistress and a prankster. He continued to walk, cautious of his every noise and even more cautious of every movement around him. He walked on towards the smell and saw that he was entering a small clearing in the woods. The shrubbery radually got shorter and the sky became more visible, making the light brighter. Sabastian crouched down and went on, even more cautiously. He stopped and turned his attention to listening. He heard it. The tell tale noise that he expected. He chuckled to himself. Today, Chance was on his side.

"Sleeping like a baby." he whispered.

He stepped forward and took in the view in front of him. A full grown Copper Dragon. The most beautiful he'd ever seen. His breath was taken from him in a moment of hushed awe. The beast laid curled in a loose ball, its blunt snout tucked behind the spiked end of his tail. It's body was slick and well built. Muscles rippled in it's reptilian like length. It's wide bat-like wings were folded at it's sides, so that when curled up, they shielded what was exposed of it's wide, stunning chest. Coppers were the smallest of metallic dragons. They were also the quickest and most agile. It could be seen in this mammoth, even as it lay sleeping. The blunt thick horns that swept back against the crown of it's head for smoother sailing as it navigated the turbulence of the air. It's scales shimmered copper, almost blinding one, when the sun rays hit the scales just so. Sabastian shook his head, it was rare that he ever was so struck by the beauty of a dragon.. in his profession it wasn't exactly smart to let dragon awe take the best of you. Still, like any hunter, Quinn acknowledged the beauty of his prey, but never for long. You basked in their awesome beauty too long and you got killed.

Sabastian smiled and drew his great sword out. The shimmering enchanted steel length of it sparkled in contrast to the rustic copper of his quarry. He stepped forward. This will be over quick and easy, he thought, like stealing sweets from a babe. Then, I'll be on my way to the next town and I'll.... All the wile, as his thoughts played through his head, he approached the sleeping behemoth. The blade would strike clean and true, under the protective shield of it's wings and into it's fat muscular heart. A quick and painless death. He walked forward until he was right in front of the dragon. One, two, three.. he raised up the blade and..

The coppers eye opened up quickly, but the eye was not the lazy red one of a dragon awakened from it's sleep. The eyes were clear, strong, cunning, and full of something not seen in dragons of another kind. Sabastion sneered when he saw it. The huge disc shaped eye was full of mirth.. plane and true. Sabastions hand froze for a second and then he lunged forward, trying to make a striking blow, but the copper was too quick and it rolled to the side, rising up with lightning dexterity. It opened it's jaws and let forth a roar which pushed Sabastion down on his backsides, the man rolled and got into a hunched position, ready to lunge at any call. The copper reared back and Sabastian waited for the on coming attack. It opened it snout once more, most likely thought Sabastian, to deliver it's dragons breath, a rush of pure energy that disintegrated anything it touched. But the sound that was coming from the Copper wasn't that of war. The huge being was laughing. Outright and loud.

Draco couldn't help himself. He laughed until the insides of his many stomachs hurt ands then he calmed it to a soft snorting. The man crouched near him was red with furry. The dragon laughed harder.

"HA!" his dragon eyes rolled. " That was the worst attack I've ever seen! And believe me, my boy, I've seen quite a few!"

He brought his mammoth head down to the humans level, looking him in the eye with his left one. "Hmmmm... " he growled softly, his voice a deep musty thing. "Kinda small for a warrior, eh?" His huge eye winked and he launched back in laughter once more.

The man below him straitened up slightly. "I'm not just any warrior, beast.." he sneered, though his face was returning to it's original tanned color, instead of the crimson it had just been. "I'm a Wrymslayer.... Sabastian Quinn.." he bowed. "The last human you'll ever see.."

Draco smiled and brought his laughter under control. "Promises, promises." He smiled. "So, another brave dragonslayer.. out to gain another head for their wall, eh?" He snorted in mirth. "This is one head you'll not have on your wall, human Quinn.. so you can give up the heedless chase now." The Wyrm sat back on its thick haunches and grinned as only dragons can. "Draco the Copper dragon, at your service."

"Good.." said the Human. "Then you'll come easily. Come, dragon... a quick blade in the heart and your terrorizing days are over." He eyed the dragon over with a critical gaze.

"Terrorizing?" Draco shook his head. "I live in peace on a far away mountain.. I'm here on holiday you might say. But I don't terrorize. Not humans anyway. Horses, maybe.. but then, they're just the tastiest morsels. Human flesh is so, fleshy... " he shudders. "Not pleasing to the palate, if you know what I'm saying." Another wink. The dragon rose up and shook it's head.. "No human Quinn, I'm afraid I'll not let you kill me today.. perhaps some other day, when you've grown a little."

Draco rose to his full length and turned to leave, but then turned back, just as Quinn was about to lunge once more with his blade, the wrym snorted again and then picked up the hunter by the scruff of his leather jerkin. His talons gripped the material and he hoisted him off the forest ground.

"Why do you little men bother us so anyway?" he asked calmly. He looked him in the eyes once more.

Quinn writhed and wriggled trying to break loose. But the dragons grip was not only strong, but smart, so that Sabastion was unable to just wriggle out of the jacket and be gone. He raised his sword up but was met with a laugh and a shot of narrow energy focused for his sword, melting it down to the hilt.

"ARGGG!" cursed Quinn. "You'll pay for that, beast!"

"Yes.. " replied Draco. "Just like I'll pay for all the terrorizing I supposedly did?" The dragon shook it's head sadly. "Come human Quinn, perhaps it's time you see a dragon life from a dragons point of view.. hmmm?"

Before Quinn could utter a word the wrym had taken flight. Soon the ground grew smaller and Quinn could see the forest well under his dangling feet. The landscape and view was beautiful The lush green hues wee distinct. A small village was nearby, next to a small flowing stream.

It was breathtaking, but Quinn was enraged.

"Let go of me, wrym!" He shouted.

Draco laughed and brought the man up to his snout. "Now think rationally, human Quinn... If I dropped you, you'd die. As much as you annoy me, I'd not want you to die..." He grinned. "Now please, if you must call me something, call me Draco. It is my namesake after all."

"I'll give you a namesake!" Quinn snapped. "LET ME GO!"

Draco shrugged and exhaled through his nostrils. "If that what you really want... here."

Quinn felt the talons slide out and he plummeted. The sense of weightlessness was awesome. And terrifying. Quinn realized his mistake and saw his life pass before his eyes.

"NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!"

The dragon was quick. He dived down until he was just below the plummeting human, and then he caught him is one swift swipe of his claws. The man fainted and Draco laughed.

"Whatever are these humans coming too?"

Sabastian Quinn sighed in his dreamlike state. He smiled and felt the rush of cool air over him. He felt a sense of utter happiness that could only come from pure carelessness. He longed to stretch luxuriously.. but felt oddly confined. He stirred a bit but felt hesitant to awaken from his luxurious dreaming. He sighed happily and took in a deep breath of the rushing stream of air. The smells played in his nostrils. Flowers, wheat, dragon, freshness, faint rain, dragon, earth, perfume, dragon, smoke, food, dragon, animals, humans, civilization, dragon, jungle, mountains.... dragon? His eyes shot open and he groaned. The confining grip around him was caused by copper talons, strong and sharp. The scale covered length, ending in smooth bone claws, encircled him perfectly. He hung diagonally, curled in a way that he saw the depth of the world below him.. a green pasture, a small river, a tiny village, trees, sheep, playing children... below him! He jerked up and would have beaten on the talons, had not his arms been completely confined in the copper's grasp.

"Let go of me you monstrous, ill-kempt, dimwitted... " he shouted, apparently into the wind.

Draco slowed down suddenly and drew himself up strait so he could look at the man in his grasp.

"Remember what happened last time you told me to do that, little man?"

Sabastian face piqued crimson. "What are you talking about you..."

Draco laughed and grinned at the man. "You remember..." He contorted his dragon features so he looked like an aggravating child. "Let me down this instant, Wrym!" His reptilian face to the expression of one in utter terror. "Help! I'm falling! Save me!" he screamed in a high pitched exaggerated tone. "And then.." he made his features go ashen and rolled his copper eyes back in a mocking gesture. "Out like a light, without a word of thanks."

"Thanks for what!??!" demanded a much outraged Sabastian.

Draco laughed uproariously. "For saving your life. Which I might add.. I do regret doing right now.."

Sabastian mustered up all his strength so as not to spit in the dragons face. "Fine then.. " he yelled, so that he could be heard in the roaring wind that blew in the evening atmosphere. "Just drop me and be done with it! Cowardly wyrm!"

Draco shook his head. "Look here human.. lets be sensible aye?"

"A dragon sensible?? There's a joke."

Draco blew a puff of sparking energy through his nostrils and Quinn's face went slightly pale. "All right, all right.. I'll listen.. I'll listen.." the man cried stubbornly.

Draco grinned. "Good choice." he winked. Then, "Now.. we both know that I could kill you right now if I wanted. Correct?"

Quinn opened his mouth to make another snide remark but, seeing Draco's daring gaze, he thought better of it and merely nodded his head.

"Well.." continued Draco. "Since we both agree.. then I'm prepare to make you an offer. I will show you how we dragons truly live for a day. And after we're done. If you still don't like the Dragon race.. you may try your best at killing me. You must promise that you will not attempt to harm me in any way for the next 24 hours. That I might have your complete trust and attention." He looked the human in the eyes and waited for his response. The dragons copper left eye took in the dragonslayer's two blue ones, in a steady gaze.

"And you will promise to give a fair fight when we are done?" questioned the man, much more calmly.

Draco frowned a bit. "If we must fight.. yes. I hope it might not be necessary, but yes.. I give you my word as a metallic dragon."

Quinn rolled his eyes a bit, but, feeling the talons tightened a bit, nodded his head. "Then I give you my word as a human. I will see all that you want me to see, and I will not harm you in any way for the next 24 hours." He grimaced slightly. "Happy?"

Draco grinned and swung the man up between his huge shoulder blades. Quinn yelled and grabbed on tight to the fanned scales that went down Draco's spine. Draco laughed.

"I'm very happy! "He called.. "Hold on tight human Quinn... You're in for a ride."

Quinn opened his mouth to protest, but found himself clamping his mouth shut as Draco did a triple barrel roll in the air. Quinn fought down the slight lunch that threatened to expel itself through his clenched teeth. He suppressed a moan.. What in all of Lystria have you gotten yourself into Quinn?? he asked himself. Still, he could think of far worse things than a joy ride on such a splendid flyer as this Wyrm. The air seemed to cut open for the behemoth's huge body, like a knife sliding through butter. Quinn felt a sense of freedom spread over him and as Draco did a series of flips, turns, and somersaults in the fresh evening air.. Sabastian Quinn found himself loosening up and enjoying the ride. He even felt himself grin.

"Likening the truce so far, human Quinn?" Shouted the Copper to him, in mid flip.

Quinn waited till they'd steadied a bit before shouting back, so that his gums didn't flap against his teeth. "I'm actually rather enjoying this Wyrm..." he called.

Draco laughed. "Good.. see if you like THIS!"

Without hesitation he flung the man up in the air and dove downward. Staling a bit and then diving back up so that he caught the free falling man gracefully. Quinn grasped on and struggled to catch his breath. When at last it came to him, it was haggard and raw at best. "Do that.. again Draco.. and I do.. believe.." he struggled to breath. "I'll not be able to fight you even if I wanted to...." he laughed shakily.

Draco roared in laughter. When he'd calmed down he grabbed the man down from his back and brought him to his face, secure in his grasped. "What makes you think that's not the idea, human Quinn?"

Before Quinn could answer, Draco was off and flying once more, in great speed. To where, Sabastian did not know. But oddly, he did not care. Sabastian Quinn, though loath to admit it, was actually having fun.