Grendel Press

     I had fled from an angry white dragon into an icy cave, only to be attacked by some gigantic glowing-hot horrific centipede. Had I been in any better shape, or practically any time in the last handful of centuries, I would have easily been able to best this bizarre monstrosity. However, after barely dodging its quick bites, I was convinced that I would not be able to best this adversary. I backed away slowly, doing all I could to avoid the consistent snapping of its vicious jaws. My claws came upon a rather sturdy mammoth tusk, and with all of the accuracy I could muster, I shoved it into the monster’s gaping mouth.

     This finally caused it to reel, its multiple legs seemingly unable to pry the blockage out. Seeing this as my only chance to escape, I immediately took the opportunity to hightail it out of there. I flew down more slick, tunnel-like caverns—faster and faster until I was gliding down them once again like some sort of dangerous watery slide. I sailed past multiple connecting tunnels. This beast must have laired under the entire mountain range. I think I might have passed by some giant frozen lizards or at least something that seemed like it, but I couldn’t stop to ponder what they could be. Behind me I could hear the choral shrieks of the monstrosity hunting me. It was much more home here than I could ever be, and I knew that a sudden unexpected dead end would sure spell my own dead end.

     To my luck, I found that the air in the tunnels I was choosing was becoming steadily more frigid. Though unpleasant, the sting of the frost in my eyes and the biting in my lungs spelled the one thing I needed—a way out. Again, I tucked my limbs against the side of my body, abandoning all safety for the hope of a quicker escape, when I spotted the tiniest spot of light down the tunnel ahead of me.

     I shot out of the cave like a mother’s hundredth egg, freezing, broken, and exhausted, but I was free. Tumbling down the mountain and landing between some frosty pines, I caught myself, allowing the smallest of smiles to form on my chattering maw. I had done it! I was out. Though it was freezing, I could feel the sun already beginning to warm my battered scales. Until it wasn’t. A shadow passed again over me, and I barely had time to let out a curse as the white dragon once again landed with a crash on my poor body.

     I barely had the capacity to pay attention to his furious raging as he bellowed in my ear, “YOU DIE NOW YOU NO GET AWAY!” I had not the energy to fight him back as he opened his mouth to tear at my bloodied face.

     The last thought I had was, to my dismay, the realization that my father had been correct. The frozen north was no place for a young dragon like me. I had put so much effort into my escape that I hadn’t even considered that my father, viscous as he was, could actually be right about something. Before my life hardly had the chance to begin, I was going to be killed, and possibly even consumed, by another dragon. I could feel his icy breath on my cheek as I turned away, giving up entirely. I was just too cold, tired, and feeling more foolish than I had ever felt before.

     Yet for not the first time, fate intervened. As the white reared back for a fatal bite, he was suddenly shoved off of me with so much force I could do nothing but gasp in shock. Unbeknownst to both the white and I, the monster from the caves had followed me out, shooting from the icy tunnel much like I just had, and had propelled itself like an arrow towards my frosty attacker.

     The two tumbled further down the mountainside, toppling sturdy trees as they went, and (very fortunately for me) began fighting among themselves! Beast and beast-like dragon fought, trading vicious strikes as they began pummeling each other. I knew not who won that fight, for in the chaos I bounded away with one final desperate burst of strength.

As I made my quiet escape through the trees, the roaring and screeching of the two combatants echoing over the mountain range, I could only think that my father knew NOT what he said! For even if I were to go to the most hostile of places in the realm, fate would surely protect me. This is when I realized two very important things—first, I am the most special dragon that has ever existed, and second, even though I survived, I still absolutely hate snow.

And I hope this answers your questions, Geldrin! For if I were to ever visit that snowy place again, I would surely come upon an angry, glowing snow monster, or an angrier, frosty snow dragon! And for you, dear reader, I hope this far-too-long story has provided you with yet another look into the life of the most special and fate-protected dragon you have ever known. For every story from my long life continues to season your delicious minds with knowledge, understanding, and a sense of how great I truly am! Until next time, don’t go in the snow! It’s not worth it!