Edgard's Discovery

Edgard walked through the forest with a satisfied look on his face. It was early spring and a gorgeous day. The kind of day that was bright and fresh and had the smell of nature waking up after a long winter’s sleep. Being a dragon, Edgard’s senses were more focused – not only could he smell the leaves breaking down and the soil warming up but he could also smell creatures crawling through that soil, seeds bursting open with new life, sap running through the trees and in the distance, the faint smell of humans.

Edgard smiled to himself, lost in memory. A few hours before he had run into a small group of humans. They were scrawny and of a poor colour, but there had been enough to fill his belly. Eating for a dragon wasn’t just the act of ingesting food, it included absorbing the emotions of your prey. This group was fairly excited when he fed. All in all, it was a successful hunt and he wouldn’t have to worry about eating for a few days. That left him free to wander through the countryside and do some exploring of his new territory.

Suddenly he stopped and sniffed the air in earnest. He could smell more humans. but it wasn’t humans. Humans smelled of food and grime and fear. This was different. It smelled of food but somehow different. It smelled of more – of pleasant feelings. A day in the sun on a mountainside. Edgard felt warm and fuzzy. He gave his head a shake. How strange, he thought. I need to find the source. He started following the scent.

Soon enough he approached a clearing and in the middle was a small basket covered with a beige blanket. A ray of sun broke through the branches and landed squarely on the basket. The smell radiated full force. Edgard crouched low to the ground and approached warily.

As he got closer, he heard a soft cooing sound. He gingerly reached out and with an extended claw snagged the blanket that covered the basket and slowly drew it back. Inside was a human baby.

A baby? Edgard was taken aback. Apart from knowing what to look for in a good meal, he didn’t know much about humans, but he did know that they never left their young alone. Something about them not being functional for the first few years. This looked like a particularly plump human and although small would make for a toothsome snack. But he was so full and had feasted so well just recently. I don’t need this he thought. I’m fine and will go on my way. Edgard made his way out of the clearing and back into the woods, headed in a southerly direction.

How strange he thought to himself again, to leave this child unattended. Very peculiar indeed. Edgard hopped over a stream and continued his trek. I wonder if it’s hungry. He took a few more steps and realized his folly. Why would I bring it food? Dragons didn’t keep livestock. And for that matter why would he turn down a delicious morsel like that? Free food was free food and who knew how long before he found more humans to devour. He turned around and made his way back.

After hopping the stream he slowed his pace. Why was he in such a rush again? The food wouldn’t have gone anywhere. He peered through the trees and could see the basket, still basking in that beam of light, the blanket a few steps away, where he had dropped it. He sniffed the air and licked his chops. There was that delicious smell again, plus the scent of a new morning after a night full of rain. The smell of the cave the day he and his brood mates had hatched. So comforting, so peaceful.

Edgard reached the basket with a few steps and stared down into the basket. The baby human lay there, looking up at him. With big blue eyes. Edgard found himself staring into those sweet innocent eyes. I really should bring him some food. Wonder if he’ll eat raccoon?

What is wrong with me, he thought. Edgard let out his most fearsome growl. This was unacceptable. He looked back down into the basket, into those eyes.... The human started giggling This was too much. He turned around and headed back into the trees. A few moments later he heard a crashing sound. He turned around ready to dart back to protect the human then realized his foolishness. Instead, he crouched down into the underbrush and blended in, waiting and watching. Soon a group of orcs came crashing through into the clearing.

Damn, he thought. There goes my free meal. Although a few orcs at a time weren’t a problem, there were just too many for him to deal with alone. Orcs were more robust than humans and much tougher. Just wasn’t worth his energy. He settled down to wait for the inevitable.

Edgard waited, watched and listened, but to his surprise the orcs weren’t cooking the human. They had approached the basket and looked in, and now they were taking turns holding it. A few had run out to the trees and came back with something in their hands that they fed to the human. How bizarre! The orcs were taking turns feeding it now. Why were they not eating this human?

Half of them had scurried away and were far gone. Edgard decided to take a chance and attack the remaining orcs. He didn’t need this much competition. He wasn’t sure how densely populated this area was and dragons weren’t known to share. He ran into the clearing hoping to scatter the ones remaining and hunt them down one by one. He crashed through the branches baring his teeth and extending his wings. The orcs looked up calmly and back down at the baby. Although taken aback, Edgard pressed forward, and lost all interest in any sort of violence. Why should I hurt these orcs he thought, they’re feeding the baby. Wait no! Food! Competition! Destruction! Edgard tried to focus but try as he might, his mind went back to the baby and how helpless it was. This didn’t make sense.

He continued walking through the clearing to the other side and back into the trees. Once he was out of sight his mind cleared. He decided to test something

First, he hunted down any of the orcs that were still around in the forest which left five in the clearing losing their minds over this human. He approached as close as he dared and stared into the clearing. Eventually one of the orcs noticed him. Once he caught his eye he rolled onto his back, exposing his belly and waited. Sure enough, the orc left the group and approached him. Edgard rolled over, but away from the clearing, feeling his resolve build. The orc started running. Soon he was out of sight of the clearing with the orc bearing down on him.

Edgard chuckled to himself and slashed at the orc. The orc was stunned but nonetheless tried to pull his sword out. Edgard lunged and landed on top of him, easily disemboweling the hapless orc. The others were too obsessed cooing at the human and make faces to notice their missing companion or hear the noise.

Edgard approached the clearing and repeated the process till all orcs were gone. One by one he lured each orc away from the human and the clearing and made short work of them.

Feeling full a second time that day he went and curled up around the human. Well maybe this tiny human can be of good use after all he thought as he fell into a deep, comfortable slumber.