"SPEAK," he roared with a thunderous boom. his wings flare out and banish the fog around surrounding him. the man cowered for but a moment before speaking, "Neither, Lord of the Hidden Mountain. I humbly ask for your help. our crops are being stolen. We'll starve if the culprit isn't stopped."
"We had hoped if you flew around, you might terrify the thief into leaving." With a sound that seemed to be more snarl than scoff, the dragon spoke, "So you are of the third variety. the most arrogant of mankind's group. how I detest your pleas and your weakness."
The man began to turn when the dragon spoke one more time. "Fear not, for I will assist you." The man sighed in relief as he turned to thank the dragon. "I shall slay every one of you, and you will hunger no more." With that, the villager was consumed.
the mighty dragon stretched his wings and looked towards the village, "There is work to be done."
"Hold tight, human!" the dragon bellowed, spinning into a dive, and he gripped as tightly as he could. this was the second dragon he'd ever met, and by leagues the best. the wind rushed through his hair, and he truly felt alive!
"Is this what you always feel like?" He yelled. trying his best to be heard over the roar of the wind. "Yes, human! this is what being a dragon is!"
He sat back, held on tightly, and enjoyed every minute of the flight. He'd never seen the sun set on the clouded horizon. He hoped he would again, but with what lie ahead, there were no guarantees.
As they landed, he asked what was on his mind, "If that feeling up there. the power and the freedom and all the... just... peace? joy? both? I think that's what that was... if that is what all of you feel, then why did the Lord of the Hidden Mountain kill all my people?"
with a deep sigh and what Trenton thought was a bit of sorrow in his eyes, the Lord of the Burning Sea replied, "you are a young creature and as such, his motives will not make sense to you. you see the beauty of flight and imagine that we all must feel as you do." "But you said you do!"
"ah, but I am one. my kingdom is the Burning Sea. I live in the light of the sun. the sun that basks your world in warmth and light. others are not as blessed with the world's wonders as I am. others do not feel as I feel. much as one human does not experience the same joys and tragedy as another."
For a moment, he looked to the setting sun, lost for how to say what was next. "The Hidden Mountain and its Lord are of the shadow. they live on rocks and snow. what doesn't grow or cannot be sustained, must die so the rest can. while you see him as a villain, he sees himself as fulfilling a role."