Damsels and Dragons

Chapter 3 - Life of a Hunter

(POV Liv)

So that was by far the strangest experience of my life. I just spoke to a dragon, well someone trapped in the form of a dragon apparently. These kinds of things don't happen around here like this is one of the most peaceful provinces in the kingdom.

Freaking Leo had to run off and leave me alone. Was he seriously not able to hear how scared the dragon sounded? Ok yes being chased by a massive dragon was instinctually terrifying and it did take me a bit to overcome that, but Leo was supposed to be the 'brave' one.

Anyway it clearly wasn't a danger once you really pay attention to the situation. As our mentor told us situational awareness is the difference between life and death. Honestly, after talking to it,  I had a feeling it was just a timid sheltered child.

Maybe I should say her? It was hard to tell when the dragon clearly had trouble speaking which was fair. I'd definitely have trouble talking with a face like that. I'll go with her because I got very strong girl vibes from her and yea the dragons voice didn't sound too male after you got past the guttural primal tinge of speaking with a lizard face.

So I promised this scared maiden stuck in a dragons body that I'd just fetch her some food. Honestly Leo and I were lucky if we came back from a hunt with a kill, and a rampaging dragon surely drove all the wildlife running into the mountains.

This is what I got for being a good responsible person. At least no one will believe Leo when he tries claiming we found a dragon. Last thing we'd need is to scare a dragon, she could accidently burn the entire valley down. Then again she was terrified of deer like they were trolls or ghouls.

I was almost certain the 'Linda' she mentioned was the witch. Who else could have made a potion who could turn someone into a dragon. I had talked with Millicent enough that I was skeptical potions could even do that. So if it was possible, it had to be her. The terror of the valley and beyond. Took years for the town to convince the church to send some inquisitors.

The tracks sure were fresh, all the animals seemed to have made a mad dash away very recently. I could have followed these prints as a trainee. Looks like I might be able to snag the poor girl something to eat.

Hunting takes a lot of patience, and like our mentor always said, you can't rush success. I carefully followed the trail as quietly as possible. It took some time but I spotted a young doe exhausted from fleeing.

I notched an arrow, held my breath and waited for the right moment. The arrow loosed and pierced it through the eye dropping it. Leo couldn't have pulled that off, his aim was still rather mundane forcing him to aim for the center of mass. I on the other hand had developed an archery talent.

I rushed the dressing as this wasn't going to the butcher. I didn't need to ensure it would keep longer than the time it took to hall back to the dragon girl.

Speaking of the dragon girl I didn't actually get her name. I didn't even give her mine. Well I could ask as soon as I get back to her.

Carrying the thing alone was a bit of a pain, luckily it was a doe and not a massive buck.

I heard her practicing her talking before I could see her. Being a dragon meant her voice carried much further. She was getting better which made it all the more obvious she was definitely new to this. People turning into dragons, what was happening to the world.

I greeted her as I set the doe down to rest my shoulder. Dragon facial expressions were a bit difficult to read but judging by how she backed up knocking over a tree, it was clear she was scared of it. I had to let out a laugh, it was just too ridiculous not to.

"So here you go one meal for the growing dragon." I teased.

"But it's a like a whole d-deer, how am I supposed to eat it or cook it? Linda always brought back meat." Whined a dragon larger than my house.

"Right, you've only had butcher cuts. Alright I'll carve it up and see if I can't get a fire going. Can you try getting some firewood?" Surely she could manage that much.

"Uh I d-don't know how? This is my first time outside, well second but the first time didn't count." Gods help me with this incompetent dragon girl. Poor thing's so sheltered she can't even care for herself.

I got to work on the doe and setting up a camp fire. I directed her how to chop up a tree she had knocked over since her claws were faster than my axe. Besides she needed to learn. She did watch with a fascination as I worked.

Trying to make small talk I finally decided to introduce myself. "My names Olivia but people tend to call me Liv, What's your name?"

The sight of a wide eyed dragon scared to say her own name would forever be burned into my memory.