Into the Dragon Realm

We spent the rest of the evening enjoying each other's company and talking about this and that. “...Like I said, you can stay at my place as long as you want, but please keep my house in order and don't make a mess here, alright?” “Of course! In fact, I can even help clean up if I have to. For your information, I've never stayed on as a useless freeloader!” “Well, in that case…” He picked up my taser which I threw last time and handed it to me. “...you can start now by getting that thing as far away from my eyes as possible.” “Oh… right!” I was about to shove it deep in the bag when: “Shoot…” “What is it?” “I left my bag for those things to chew on," — I said, heartbroken — “I was going to put the thing in it.” “Well, then you'll have to wait until tomorrow.” “Sure… if there will be even anything left of it by then.” “If there's no food supplies in there, nothing should happen to it. Night wolves are voracious creatures, so when they see prey, they go for it. On the other hand, anything that isn't food doesn't interest them at all.” I just hoped that books and paper were nothing edible to them either, because in that case my bag was finished. “And in any case, you did the right thing to leave the bag to them and not yourself. Possessions can be replaced. Life — can not.” I increasingly doubted that this man was really *just* a muscleman. He's more like an old sage to me in that moment. While I pondered that, Grynoth headed for the next room. Soon I heard the boiling of hot water, and after a while, his head appeared from around the corner to ask: “You smoke?” “No, but if you want to do it yourself, I don't mind a bit," — I replied, anticipating what the next question would be. “Good. Continue not doing that.” He nodded and disappeared again for a while. While he was gone, I decided to take another look at the shelf for anything to grab my hands and feast my eyes. The gaze immediately found several books authored by humans. Finding the “Flaming Crest” on the cover again, I couldn't resist taking it off and making sure it was really it, even though I knew it was. The same characters, the same illustrations and the same language... a story of betrayal, redemption, hope and love - just as I remembered. About a young professor dedicating his life to ending a war between rulers who were once his students. Meanwhile, Grynoth appeared from the next room. I hesitated, but he just waved his hand: “You can have it for good, I don't mind. By the way, this is for you,” — he said, handing me some kind of potion — “For calming your nerves. We both need it after today.” “Heh, tell me about it…”  I noticed that in his other hand, he was holding a pouch of tobacco. To think that we have electronic cigars now and they still have tobacco... just like the old days. But that was not what was worrying “By the way, I was wondering: why would you want to ruin your own health with that stuff when you can make potions like this?” “Eh, I still have plenty of it," — he shrugged, "for dragonkin, one century is still only half a life.” I stood there for a few seconds, simultaneously feeling bewilderment, disbelief, denial, and more. He was talking so calmly about something that was beyond fantasy to me… and now it was so real I began to doubt the reality of what was happening. What if I was already dead and this was all just my posthumous dream? What finally killed it was the way he lit the tobacco — just put it to his mouth and breathed on it. “So you can breathe fire, too?” “Not much. As a built-in lighter, it'll do.” “Amazing…” “Still think we're not real?” “I'm honestly not sure of anything anymore, not that you're real, not that I am.” At these words, he came over to me and tapped me lightly on the forehead with his knuckle. “Ow. What for.” “For all good things," — he said with a smile, — "and also to make you realize that I am a flesh and blood creature like you. Then he ruffled my hair and continued, "Okay, let's go talk to you about important stuff.” “Sure!” At this point I calmed down to a point I felt I was ready for any sort of conversation.

…

A hide-in-the-corner is certainly no couch, but hey — I've had to sit in worse places. Sitting up close to the scaly giant steel felt surreal, but I definitely didn't mind. Part of me even wanted to lean towards him, but I decide to wait for more suitable moment then that. “So…” It just so happens that we said it together. “You can start first," — said the dragon. “Well, I'd like to ask about you," I admitted. “Please, but preferably choose something specific: a full autobiography would take me a night or more.” Thinking for a moment, I asked: “You're... like a warrior, right? You fought like a beast. It was pretty cool, I must say. A real badass!” “Something like that, yeah, but former. Served as a mercenary, bodyguard, foot soldier and a hitman. Terrible job… all of them, so I left the first chance I got.” “So… did someone make you do it?” “Life. Everyone wants to eat and live, after all.” Taking a puff, he continued: “We... had enough reasons for wars. It cost me a lot of work to even earn a house like this.” “Well, at least all's well that ends well," I said, trying to cheer him up, "now you're enjoying some well-deserved comfort so hey, it's not that bad! But obviously, I made things worse because he smiled so sadly and wistfully in response that I thought he was going to cry. “Something wrong? Or did you just rent it all out or something? Or is someone threatening to take it away?” “It's not that," — he replied, — "that's a subject for another conversation” I realized that it really was more complicated than that... maybe even too much…  I was about to switch the topic, but he did it faster. “You were good too... you were quick to act and figured out where the night wolves' weak spot was... and even overcame your fear when one of them jumped on you.” “Ah... heh, thank you. Fencing and hunting are mandatory training for every nobleman. It's been a tradition since, well, forever. Hunting is still considered a pastime of the nobility, so everyone must be skilled in this art in order to participate.” “Well, thank the gods for preparing you for this ordeal... and yet you should have obeyed me and run away when I gave you an order — I mean, told you to.” “Yes, I know. But I couldn't leave you-especially after, well, everything that happened.” “While I'm glad to hear it, you almost made it worse. I had to keep looking at you constantly to make sure you were okay, and when the wolf jumped on you the second time, I almost stopped my heart... I thought you were dead.” “...I'm sorry.” ‘Why does it always get worse when I want to help someone? It's not right…’ “Next time — please, listen to the older people tell you to do. There is a reason they are considered an authority to a younger ones.” To think that somewhere earlier that day I would most likely replied something along the lines ‘I will do whatever I want, no adult dares to order me around’… oh how quickly times have changed. “Of course.” Gry took another puff, while I munched on my cooled drink. “Do you humans have military conflicts?” — He asked, — "if you are feeling comfortable talking about it.” I suddenly realized how difficult it was for me to answer that question. “No… but yes.” I saw Gry staring at me incomprehensibly. “So...which one is it?” “You see, I've gotten used to the fact that conflict will haunt living things all the time... only instead of iron and steel, our weapons are now made of paper and ink.” “Oh...so you use non-lethal methods of conflict resolution?” “The vast majority. Our world has gotten pretty corporate. So now our investors... ehem, I mean generals, fight amongst themselves meeting at the pool table smoking cigars like old friends... when in fact they are studying each other and gathering information that would allow them to outmanoeuvre their opponents. And when they stop benefiting from each other, their relationship just bursts like a bubble and disappears without a trace.” I fell silent, and after Grynoth made no comment, continued: “Sometimes I wonder if I'm just as self-serving... what if I'm just taking advantage of your help now just for a free night's lodging?” “Want some advice?” — Gry replied, — "Don't think. You'll go crazy if you dwell so much on self-reflection. You've realized your imperfections and let it go if you can't control it. Just make a mental note of it and try to be better. That is all. After all...we all have selfish goals to some extent.” Suddenly he stood up and went to the table to get an ashtray. “And yet... if you realize how bad it is, why do you lie? Of course, I realize that you yourself have no dishonest goals and you are not hurting anyone, but... why?” “Oh… it's a long story.” “If so, you can save it for tomorrow. Or not tell it at all, though I am interested to hear it.” “No, it's okay. Anyway, uh.”

...

Needless to say, my backstory wasn't all that dramatic. Being born into one of the most noble families, I had everything I wanted from childhood and enjoyed an easy and carefree life. But as I grew into adolescence, I began to question whether I deserved what I had. You see, as peaceful as our species has become, it still has a long way to go to be perfect. Instead of enmity we still have discrimination, instead of war we have corruption, and instead of hunger, we are now obese. As you can guess, the nobles have a huge advantage over the common people in these problems, but few of them care about helping the common people. Over time, I came to despise my own class. I hated their arrogance and shortsightedness, their way of life, their philosophy. I was ashamed to be born like that. At first, I didn't show it, but when I reached adolescence I started to change. It all started when my father began to drip into my brain, rubbing all sorts of bullshit into me about education, career and so on. From his pretentious speeches about the fact that I need to keep the image of our family name I had blood boiling in my veins, but what pissed me off completely was that he had to make me a lawyer. The most prestigious job in this country, the most hated by me. Honestly, I'd rather be a bartender or something. I'd have to put up with incredibly ungrateful and impolite clients, but to defend people like these in court? That's even worse! So over time, we became pretty... distant. And then we started arguing and fighting. I don't remember the last time we argued, but I remember him saying something like, "You don't respect our kind? - Fine, then go live in the slums." Instead of a verbal response, I responded with actions - I grabbed my camping gear and was off. And since only those people I was particularly close to knew about my escape, I managed to do it without any problems. Coincidentally, I've wanted to travel for a long time — probably because of all those adventure books I've been reading and living like a vagabond. At first, it worked out... not so well. Some people tried to scam me or even rob me, but luckily there were kind people who taught me skills I lacked and shared their experiences with me. Eventually, I became independent enough to travel far away. I should mention that all my gadgets were something of a fantasy for people from the backwoods because only the nobility could afford them. And since I did not want to tell everyone that I was a nobleman, I began to invent all sorts of falsehoods about myself, which I took from the same novels. I told some people that I was the chosen one, others that I had been thrown from a parallel world, others that I just had amnesia, and so on. Frankly, it was amazing how gullible and superstitious they all were. And I couldn't resist the temptation to take advantage of that. I tried not to abuse my charisma for personal gain, though, and did so only to keep myself hidden... and to cover my tracks so that the search party my father had sent would not find me. The life of a vagabond was much easier for me than I had expected. I missed my soft bed and the fireplace when it rained, but I learned to appreciate those things much more as well. Many of the peasants were surprisingly friendly and not at all as savage as the nobles had described them to me. Of course, they were a bit rough and rude, but that was never a problem for me. They taught me a lot of things I didn't know (including a few dirty jokes) and in return, I helped them in any way I could. Most of the time it was either hunting thanks to my skills and equipment, or babysitting. The little ones loved me. ..I guess it was because I am somewhat of a man-child myself. In one way or another, I found it much easier to get along with ordinary people. Many people even offered to let me stay. And I really wanted to stay. I really did. But the search parties my father sent after me were still following me. It was dangerous to stay in one place, but it was more dangerous to expose the people who were happy to have my back. I could get away with it on my own, but I couldn't afford to jeopardize the communities that had sheltered me. So I became a wanderer, virtuous but lonely, trying not to get into too many relationships. After all, I didn't want to break anyone's heart when I had to leave someone. At first, I liked this lifestyle. I even thought about settling on my permanent fictional image instead of making up a new one every time. That way I would earn myself a reputation that I could then use to create my adventure guild and allow myself to finally make real friends with someone... maybe even find a mate or life partner. What I didn't realize was how damaging such a philosophy would be to my morale. I noticed that I had developed a fear of rejection, that people would not accept me for who I am. I didn't even know I had such a phobia, but my new life policy made me realize it very well. The more I lied, the more I became embarrassed of other people and the more I distanced myself from them. The fact that I couldn't afford to be sincere with anyone was a burden on me because if I allowed myself to speak my honest opinion even once, I could immediately give myself away. Even when I left my country and moved to other lands, I found that I still couldn't get close to anyone... because what kind of relationship can there be if it's based on falsity? Ironically, I had fled from a society made up of these phonies only to become one myself. The real reason I lied to you was because it's just become a habit. You know, I'm just now realizing how lonely I've become. Your realm beckoned me since I was a child — forbidden fruit attracts no one - but... Now that I think about it… maybe now it has become something more? An ephemeral possibility for a fresh start?

…

“So you have a complicated relationship with your father? I mean… “daddy issues”?” — Grynoth asked. “Daddy issues?! I hate him! He's a jerk who thinks it's okay to impose his own ideals on his kids! I have to make a career, earn a house, promote the family name, and give birth to grandchildren, and this and that... and not once did it dawn on him that maybe, *just* maybe, they have their own hopes and dreams! And his political views are a mess. He sees immigrants as crude barbarians, women as nothing more than accessories for men, and he's about to sign a petition to have us ready our guns to wage the war on you guys! "Their brute strength will make them excellent serfs and their magical knowledge will serve us well as engines of progress." We've worked so hard to ban slavery once and for all and he wants it all back! I despise him.” I was already afraid that I said too much, but Grisha only laughed. “Whoah. he's got a real general's attitude, I see! Well, I suppose we'll all be running for our lives when he comes for our heads!” “Tell me about it. The dude decided to have some fun on his anniversary.” Suddenly, Graynoth grew dark, took another puff, and said: “And mine threw me out on the streets when I was still a hatchling.” “Wait, for real!?” “Unfortunately, yes. I don't remember why he did it, but I think it's easy to guess: He probably just wanted to get laid. And the son was just an appendage. And then when he realized how much trouble it was to raise someone, he just decided to get rid of him.” “How… how dare he… wait a minute, what about the laws? What were the child protection organizations doing in the meantime? Or whatever you guys have?” “What are you even talking about, human?” — Grynoth laughed bitterly, "Have you forgotten that we're stuck in the Middle Ages?” ‘Do they have the same lawlessness as modern dystopian literature...?’ “I mean…” “We have always needed to restore justice and stand up for ourselves. Even now, our kingdom is infinitely far from solving such problems, because they are so insignificant to it.” “I… It’s so horrible! I didn't know…” I noticed that I had just made an absolute clown of myself. After all, I am unbelievably far removed from their civilization and how it works. “Eh, it's no big deal. You're new here, so it's hard to blame you. But as you can see, I'm still alive and in one piece, so it's not all bad.”

…

I didn't even notice how it was already nightfall and my eyes were starting to slip, and we were still sitting cuddled up in the corner. I suddenly felt like a kid, about five years younger, and the strange thing was that, despite how much it used to piss me off when people treated me a one, I didn't mind it one bit. I was even happy that this green giant had decided to take care of me, just like that, without asking for anything in return: he didn't owe me anything, and yet he'd decided to take me in... even though I knew it wasn't true, I allowed myself to fell into delusion, fantasizing that all dragonkin were so benevolent. How could I not believe in a miracle after all that had happened? “...I wondered if I had done the right thing in choosing my own path over the one that was imposed on me. After all, if I had stayed at home, I could probably have become someone who would have helped other people on purpose…” “Why is it so important to you?” — Grynoth asked suddenly. “Why not thought... I'm a nobleman, after all, it's our duty to help people weaker than us.” “Do your laws have that rule or something? “What about yours? Do you guys have it in your laws that elders must take care of the younger ones regardless of their race?” Grynoth grinned. “Wha?” He stood up for a second to throw away his prehistoric cigar then went right back to his seat. “You know, I wish our nobility had that kind of self-awareness.” After a pause, he continued: “Do you want to? Without any rules or principles?: ‘There are those weird questions again…’ “Yes. No.” “There you go with your weird answers again.” “But how else can I answer?... If I could magically solve all our problems at once, I'd love to do it. But to go into all the intricacies and get the proper education?... I'm not ready to devote my life to that.” “Well, then why do you bother?” Pausing he continued: “The kind of help you're referring to is real hard work... also one that is both dangerous and thankless. There's nothing wrong with wanting a simpler, more ordinary life. Who you are born as should not determine your path in life. So if the road of adventure calls to you, so be it... with a few conditions. But we'll discuss them tomorrow.” “Say, Gry…” It took me a little courage to ask that question... although after not dying I guess I would have the courage for most ordinary things now. “Just… hypothetically… would you travel with me?” “Aiming for the top, hmm? - he smiled. “Well, Yeah! What kind of adventurer am I if I don't set big goals for myself?” “Well, I respect that... but ambition alone won't convince me that easily.” “...uh...clue?” “Well, isn't it obvious? Prove yourself. Prove to me that you're not a mama's boy and can take care of yourself. I'll teach you a few tricks and then we'll see if you can put them into practice.” “You think I came all this way being a mama's boy?” “No, but when you have such a *very* convenient partner like me around, you'll probably find it hard to resist the temptation of taking on me... most of your burdens. But if you earn my respect, I'll go with you to the ends of the world.” “In that case, let that be my goal for the near future. I'll prove to you that we humans are also capable of standing up for ourselves. I'll die, but I'll prove it. Prove… it. Prove…” At that point, my body couldn't take it anymore and forced me to pass out. Grynoth probably let out another offensively ironic comment, but I didn't hear it. In my sleep, I suddenly remembered how I had thought of myself, king of the mountain, this morning when I had climbed that unfortunate hill. I suddenly felt funny: only now I realized how actually miserable I had been then, and how happy I felt now. So much so that if this creature decided to roast and eat me now, I probably wouldn't even mind. I hope that doesn't happen, though. After all, my new adventure is about to begin, and I'm curious to see where it takes me. What are the other dragonkin really like? Are they benevolent people, or are they barbarians? Or benevolent barbarians? Are they even a thing? Whatever it is, I need to discover that.  With these thoughts in mind, I fell into a deep slumber. "Heh, what a day."