But, just when a less experienced boy would have let his guard down, Haimon heard a rustle in the shrubbery behind him. It was a stealthy sort of quiet, one that Haimon’s thief-instincts knew quite well. He dove to the side just as a dagger whizzed by right where his head had been moments before. There was a scuffle and three more boys emerged from their hiding place, each wielding some form of weapon. The biggest loomed over Haimon and growled, “You owe us some money, punk. Cough up or we’ll take it outta yer filthy hide.” Haimon sneered at them and pulled his shortsword, waving the tip in a “bring it on” fashion. The three boys flew at him in a cloud of dust, followed by the clang of metal on metal and shouts of pain and rage. Blood spattered the ground as a body fell, then two. Finally it came down to the leader and Haimon, who was severely injured.

From a dark cavern nearby, a pair of malevolently glowing eyes peered out. They watched with a hungry gleam, fangs flickering just below. Now here is precisely what I need... the beast thought, talons raking the stone floor and sending out sparks. A power-hungry little mongrel to manipulate. The eyes disappeared and a patch of the very darkness of the cave broke off, traveling from shadow to shadow on the dappled ground.

More dust and blood and spittle flew from the raging boys. It was clear that the bigger attacker was winning. Haimon was bleeding profusely from a number of injuries, his strength waning as the red-brown puddle grew. Finally he crumpled to his knees in defeat. “Let this be a lesson to you, bastard. Don’t mess with what you can’t handle.” He slowly brought his sword over his head, to bring it down and extract payment from Haimon’s very blood, when a shadow interceded. It rose up between the two and wrapped around the other boy’s head like a sentient ball of smoke. He clutched at it’s tendrils, trying to pull the shadow-stuff from his face but his fingers passed right through what was thick enough to block his airflow. In moments he fell, flopping on the ground like a fish pulled from the water before lying still, dead.

"It’ll be coming for me next.” Haimon thought as he struggled to push himself up from the ground. The strength was not in him though, and he fell back to his knees. Do not be afraid. a voice spoke from the pool of darkness as it slipped off of it’s victim’s curiously pale body. I am not here to harm you. In fact, I wish to make you a proposition. Before his eyes the talking shadow began to spin, taking on the form of a long and sinuous dragon no more than a foot in length. It was covered in red and black plates of armor, and sported a large (for it’s size) set of curved horns and not one but four pairs of tattered wings. “Wh-what are you?” Haimon stammered as he tried to escape. I am here to help you, and that is all that matters.

The dragon reached out a talon and touched Haimon before he managed get away. Power surged within the boy, healing his wounds and giving him more strength and energy. That is but a fraction of the power I can grant you. The little dragon hissed, swiftly flowing up to Haimon’s shoulder. Haimon flexed his hands as black sparks danced between his fingertips. Power you would never even dream of, all you have to do is do as I ask. “Why do I have to do what you say, I’m bigger than you. All I’d have to do is MAKE you!” In a flash, Haimon snatched at the dragon on his shoulder, but his fingers struck nothing but smoke as it disappeared before his eyes. It reformed a few feet away, red eyes flickering malevolently. Good, you are as power-hungry as I thought. That will help you in your quest. “Quest, what quest?” Over the ridge and just a day’s walk from here you will find a red dragon living in a cave. You must convince this dragon to take you to a place called Cy Dragonstake. He will know where it is. If you cannot make this dragon bring you to the Dragonstake, then it will prove your unworthiness of my gift. The dragon once again disappeared before Haimon’s eyes, drifting away on the wind as red and gray smoke.

It was exactly a day's walk from the forest where Haimon had been to a rocky mountainside with a wide cave mouth set at the base. A long red tail tipped with coppery fur trailed out of the entrance and lay motionless. “H-hello?” he called, loosening the sword stuck in his belt. “Anyone home?” Something rumbled inside and the tail retreated. Two copper lights shone from inside. ”How can I help you, traveler?” “I-I was sent here... by a little red dragon.” he stammered, cursing his own fear. The two lights moved, then flicked off and on. They weren’t lights, they were the beast’s eyes shining from inside the cavern.”What was this dragon’s name?” the dragon rumbled. “I... don’t know. It never said. But! It wanted me to... give you a message!” Slowly, the dragon stepped out of the cave mouth. It was as sinuous as the first, though much larger and only sporting one large set of leathery wings. It was also a more vibrant red, with more coppery fur at elbows, ankles, eartips and wing-wrists, and a disheveled, coppery mane.

”Well, what is the message?” It loomed over him, casting a sardonic glare down at the boy. “The message is... the message is...” While Haimon may be gifted with many skills, intelligence and imagination were not included among them. He scrambled for a plausible excuse for the dragon to take him to this Cy place. In the forest behind them, Vrine’ was grinning toothily. Perfect, he is absolutely perfect. Dumb as a brick but greedy enough to never give up. Help him out, Faszje.
Are you sure? This kid doesn’t seem to be the... brightest glow in the bucket if you know what I mean.
Yes, I am sure. He will serve his purpose as a meat sack well. Intellect is not needed.
Faszje sighed, Alright, but if I have to put up with this stammering all the way to Cy... he may not get there with the same number of limbs he started out with.

”Nevermind about the message. I have a feeling I know who it came from. Did it have anything to do with carrying you some where?” Haimon nodded vigorously. “Yes! To a place called Cy!” The dragon nodded, ”Then I know exactly who you are and why you’re here. You’re the boy I was told about. The one who has been chosen to receive the greatest gift of all.” Faszje managed a sage nod and dipped his shoulders to allow Haimon onto his back. ”Let’s leave now, we don’t have any time to waste.”

As the red dragon and his passenger climbed to the sky, a patch of darkness followed, barely visible against the orange glow of the setting sun. Everything is going according to plan. Soon my children will help me throw all of this universe into nothingness...