The Scales of Sacrifice

It is a warm night. Spring is here at last. It seems the winters have grown longer lately, but I know it's just me. I am pearched at the entrance to my lair, just within the effects of the spell that hides this cave from intruders. Listening to the sounds of the night. The soft gurgling of the brook that feeds the pool just below, The mournful cries of the frogs looking for their mates. The birds saying their "goodnights". And through it all, even from this distance, in the valley below, I can hear the song. Sweet it sounds, so sweet her voice. It is the one thing that brings me peace these days. Many a night I have gone down there, gliding silently, and hiding in the trees, just to be closer to her voice. Just to see her, her long red hair flowing over her shoulders, her smooth skin, those soulful brown eyes. Would that I could touch her. But I cannot. Even if the sight of me did not fill her with terror and pain that I could allow myself to cause her, my scales would cut and scar her forever. I can only watch and listen.
There was one night, though, early last fall. I changed to my human form. Dressed in old tatters I strolled past the farm. I gathered all my courage and walked to her front door.

I knocked.

In the thousands of years that I have lived I have seen and heard and felt many things that made me afraid. Hard to believe from a dragon, surely. I tell no lies. But never has my heart beat so hard as that night. The fear that even as a human I would be rejected. Oh, my human form is not hideous by any means, but a handsome prince I am not. And dressed as a vagabond, I knew, would not endear anyone to me. But a better plan I had not. I heard the latch, saw the doorknob turn, I nearly fled. But as the door opened I was trasfixed. I was nearly paralysed when she spoke, "May I help you?" Her radiance was nearly blinding, that hair like my own fiery breath licked at her face. But her voice, it seemed so calm, unafraid, and my fears eased, only slightly.

Damn my beating heart, it was nearly choking me. "Please, miss, I mean not to trouble you, but I have had a long journey and I wish only a drink from your well."

"Certainly, Sir, the well is just behind the house. Come with me."

"There is no need to trouble yourself for me, miss, I'm sure I can find it and then I'll be on my way."

"It's no trouble," she said, " I have been inside all day, the fresh air would do me good. Besides I would love to hear of your travels."

A heart of pure light beats in her breast. What could I offer her in return? Tales of terrorizing townsfolk? Being hunted all across the the face of the earth?

"Where does your journey lead that it brings you to my door?" she asked.

"I am just passing through," I said, "the mountains looked beautiful. A nice diversion from my thoughts. Then I happened by your farm. I was tired and thirsty from the road. And I heard singing. A voice so true and wonderful that I felt I must find it's source. And here I am."

She blushed. And the night brightened. "Thank you." She smiled. My heart filled with warmth that I have not felt in 500 years. "But Where are you going? Where are you from? What is it that you seek in your journey?" I hesitated. "Please, come inside. I have just made a batch of stew. You look like you could use a meal. And I could use some company. Come in. Please"

Gods in heaven! What dilema have I forced upon myself? I would spend an eternity looking into those eyes if I could. But I can only remain in this form for a short time without suffering consequences. Too long and I would be stuck inside this human until his dying day. Only able to assume my true form for one day in a moon cycle. A complete reversal of the roles I now play. But I have some time, and it would be so good to sit and talk with her. Just for a little while.

We dined on a fine, rich stew of mutton, fresh bread and cheese. She begged me for my stories. What could I tell her without revealing too much of my true self? I spoke of the Orient and it's people and Europe and the Islands of the Pacific.

"Where does your journey end? What is it that you are looking for?"

"I do not know where it ends, I only know that at the end there is peace. I feel as though I have lived for centuries" A small lie, or was it? The most effective lie is most often the truth. "I have lost much that was dear to me. And my heart is still filled with sorrow and turmoil." I lifted my glass. "Like the water, I seek my own level. And the peace that lies within it. And now I must go. It is late and you should not be hosting strangers alone at this hour."

" I am not afraid of you. You have a good soul I see it in your eyes. They are eyes I would swear I know but I cannot place them."

As I rose to leave I noticed on the mantle an odd object, like a plate, only not quite round. Jagged at one end, the sides rounded and came to a point at he other end. It was grey, with a faint amethyst tint, almost translucent, I recognised it the instant I saw it.

"I found it in the woods just outside my bedroom window." she said from just over my shoulder. "No one seems to know what it is, for sure. But I have a suspicion."

"Oh?" I turned to face her, "And what do you suppose it is?"

"It is the scale of a dragon, he lives up there on the mountain. Sometimes at night he visits me. He hides in the trees and and watches me. I don't think he knows that I am aware of his presence. I have tried to catch him, but when I get there he is gone." She looked deep into my eyes, right into my soul, "Most people around here think I am crazy, lost in another world.... But you don't. You know what I say is true.... Don't you?"

"I know that you would not tell me an untruth.... And with that I must go."

She seemed saddened at this, a tear formed in her eye. Then she straightened and with a voice filled with resolve she made her plea. "Promise me. Promise me that you will return someday. And tell me more about your travels. Promise"

"I promise, that when my journey brings me close to you again, I will see you then and I will tell you about my journeys."

I turned and went through the door into the dark night. As I reached to road I transformed again to my dragon form. My heart was so heavy that I was afraid I would not be able to lift it into the air.

It has been seven months now. Seven months of the worst torment I have known. But I have made my decision. Tonight, I will return to her. And I will stay. And I will sacrifice all that I am to be all that I can be for her.

A small price to pay.