The Dragon Whisperer

A year. Prince Nicholas had been searching for a solution to saving his sister, Mary, for a year. But no matter where he went, who he asked, nothing could be done. They all said the same thing. “If a dragon has your sister then she is lost.”

Nicholas sat in the tavern trying to rack his brain for another plan. His mead had cooled already. What was he to do? Mary was only ten. Elven now. How scared she must be. All because a witch had decided she was offended by a new policy.

“Well, aren’t you a ray of sunshine?” The barmaid said. “What’s got ya so down?”

Nicholas sighed. “Dragons.”

“Ah,” the barmaid nodded. “They burn your crops?”

“No. That would be simple.”

“Simple? Sure if your life doesn’t depend on those crops.”

“My sister is being guarded by one,” Nicholas informed the maid.

“Oh. Is that all?”

“Is that?” The prince’s mouth dropped. “Madam, my sister is trapped by a horrendous beast who most knights refuse to go near. What about that is simple.”

“Just a moment.” The barmaid turned to the other tavern patrons. “Oi, Whisper! Got a bloke who could use your help.”

Nicholas watched as a young man stood. He was young, perhaps early twenties. His wavy hair stopped at his shoulders. His clothes were unremarkable except for an arm guard encrusted with tiny gems. There was something though in the way he held himself that was otherworldly. Nicholas rested his hand on his hidden dagger, just in case.

Whisper sat across from Nicholas. “Dragon problem?”

“Excuse me?” Nicholas asked.

“Aryanna only calls me over if someone needs help with a dragon.”

“You?” Nicholas eyed him. “You don’t even have a sword.”

“Well of course not,” Whisper laughed. “What would I do with a sword?”

“How can you kill a dragon without a weapon?”

“I don’t kill them. I talk to them.”

“Talk to… a dragon,” Nichola’s eyes shifted to Aryanna. She nodded. “That’s impossible.”

“Nah. It ain't,” Aryanna cut in. “I’ve seen it in action. We used to lose sheep to Tirso every year, till Whisper came and talked to him. Turns out Tirso didn’t realize that we relied on the sheep. Thought they were just a hobby or something.”

Whisper nodded. “I talk to them.”

Nicholas shook his head, standing. “That’s ridiculous.”

“Sure,” Whisper shrugged. “But what have you got to lose?”

Nicholas thought for a moment. “Fine. What do you want for helping me?”

Whisper eyed him. “A sapphire.”

“You think he’s got that kind of money?” Aryanna asked.

“I know he does,” Whisper said.

“Fine,” Nicholas agreed. “If you can help my sister I will give you a sapphire.”

“Enjoy that one,” Aryanna nodded approvingly.

Once they were outside the village Whisper asked, “How far are we going anyways?”

“Three days journey.”

“Not too bad then.”

They walked in silence. Two days they traveled. Nicholas eyed the stranger occasionally. The longer Nicholas was near Whisper the more unsettled he became. What was this man?

“Are you a Fae?” Nicholas finally asked.

“No,” Whisper answered.

“Some sort of shifter then?”

Whisper laughed. “I am just a man.”

“A man who speaks to dragons,” Nicholas shook his head.

Whisper smiled. “Have my whole life.”

Nicholas scoffed. “Really? Since you were a babe?”

“Practically,” Whisper shrugged. “My human folks died when I was young. Lived in a poor house for a while but I snuck off one day. Ended up in the woods. Erry found me.”

“Erry?”

“Yep. She took me in. Kendug wasn’t pleased at first but I grew on him.”

“What odd names,” Nicolas said.

“For humans, sure. Not for dragons.”

“Wait. Are you saying you were raised by dragons?”

“Exactly,” Whisper said. He paused his stride to grab a drink from his flask. “That’s why I talk to them. Most dragons around here know each other so they know me. Makes it easy.”

“And they listen?”

“We both listen.”

“I see,” Nicholas said.

Whisper smiled. “I know it’s odd but it’s worked out. The problem with humans is they tend to attack first and ask questions later. So dragons don’t trust them. That’s why Kendug was upset when Erry decided to keep me.”

“How old were you?” Nicholas asked.

“I think three? Not actually sure. That was Kendug and Erry’s guess.”

“Fair enough,” Nicholas agreed.

“So how about you?” Whisper asked. “Why is a dragon guardian your sister?”

“My father started a new policy,” Nicholas explained, “He changed some of the tax laws to help pay for the upcoming celebration for my father’s Jubilee this year. A witch got upset and stole my sister.”

“I see,” Whisper nodded. “Did she give you a deal for returning her?”

“Lowering the taxes,” Nicholas answered.

“And did your father?”

“Of course he did,” Nicholas said. “He kept the new tax for the upper class who could afford it and lowered it for everyone else.”

“I must have missed something. Why is your sister still trapped?”

“Because my brother is an idiot,” Nicholas said.

“He called her a hag, didn’t he?”

“To her face.”

“Yep. That would do it.”

“And he’s going to be king someday.”

“Good luck with that.”

“He feels bad, but he won’t apologize.”

“So he feels bad that your sister is still trapped, but not bad that he insulted the witch?”

“Like I said, he’s an idiot.”

“Agreed,” Whisper nodded. “Do you know the witch’s name?”

“Cordilla.”

“Oh, I know her. Very reasonable woman. Your sister’s probably fine.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Probably fed well and has plenty to entertain herself.”

“We’ll see tomorrow.”

Whisper smiled. “She’s ok. I can promise you that.”

Nicholas nodded, hoping Whisper was right.”

They rose early the next morning and finished their trek. For the first time Nicolas saw the dragon. He understood immediately why the knight had opted to not engage it. The burgundy beast was huge. The tower he was guarding was as tall as he was. There was no way Marry could have climbed down it.

Whisper broke into a grin. “Niethen!”

The dragon turned. “Gardenthien! What are you doing here?!”

“Heard you had guard duty,” Whisper answered.

Niethen eyed Nicholas. “If he’s wanting to marry her…”

“No,” Whisper laughed. “He’s her brother.”

“Oh good.” Niethen crouched down. “Otherwise no amount of books would have been worth it.”

“Fair enough,” Whisper agreed.

“Books?” Nicholas asked.

“Yep, Niethen hoards books,” Whisper explained.

“Wait, I thought dragons hoarded gold and jewels. Precious things?”

Niethen and Whisper laughed.

“Precious things, yes,” Niethen said. “Have you ever read a book? They are amazing. Though I wish the Dragons weren’t all painted as the villains.”

“All dragons hoard different things,” Whisper explained. “It’s whatever catches their fancy. Tirso collected sheep until I explained that the village actually depended on them. Now he collects wool blankets the villagers make for him.”

“I like books,” Niethen explained. “Gardenthien’s the jewel hoarder.”

Whisper held up his arm guard. “My whole hoard, he said proudly. So,” Whisper turned back to Niethen, “How many books to let her go?”

“Hmm,” Niethen thought. “Ten.”

“Done,” Nicholas said.

“That’s a steep price,” Whisper noted.

“She’s a precious girl,” Niethen answered. He raised himself up. “Mary. Someone’s here to rescue you.”

Nicholas realized that he had not relaxed in a year since he last saw his sister. When Mary appeared at the window it all melted off and Spring returned in his heart. Her gold curls still bounced effortlessly around her pretty face. She grinned and the sun returned.

“Nicky!”

“Mary.”

Mary rode Neithen’s head to the ground. “Oh Nicky,” she ran to her brother’s arms. “I’ve missed you!”

“I’ve missed you too.” He turned to Whisper and Niethen. “Thank you. I will make sure you are both paid.”

Whisper nodded.

Mary turned back to Neithen. “Will you come visit? We haven’t finished our story.”

“I would love to,” Neithen said. “But I’m not sure I’ll be welcomed.”

“I understand,” Mary hung her head.

“I’ll talk to father,” Nicholas promised, “See what we can do.”

“Really?” Mary asked.

“Really,” Nicolas said. “Where can I send word to you?” he asked Neithen.

“At my home in Bristonten,” Neithen answered.

“I’m not sure…” Nicholas looked at Whisper.

“I know where it is. I’ll bring the message and his payment to him,” Whisper promised.

“Thank you,” Nicholas said. “Thank you.”

His world was right again. And soon the kingdom would be too.