Mydus and the lost child

Little bits of gold coin, antique clutter and more odds and ends littered the forest floor at the entrance of a deep and dark cavern. The only light seen was the streams of translucent gold pushing past the canopy to gently bounce off of the mess scattered about. The natural hum of the forest was quickly interrupted but the jingle of the coins. Quiet at first, then a few loud thumps of fallen antique debris as something made it’s way past the mess.

Small hands and matching feet, pushed their way through and stopped at a large item blocking it’s path. A gilded mirror just barely propped up against a mossy boulder. The little hands pressed into the reflective surface until a face was revealed. Sitting, wide-eyed and curious, a girl no older than 3 stared back at her own image. The dirt on her face was clearly disturbed by trails of tears from earlier. A shocking contrast from her pale blue eyes and very shiny copper locks.

Sniffles and whimpers came from the girl as she stared at herself. It had only been moments, when a dark figure rose behind her. She watched, still as a stone, as the figure revealed large glowing eyes next to scales darker than the night sky. The face inched closer until the warm push of it’s breath disturbed her copper locks. Hot air that felt like an inviting fireplace washed over the child as a larger than life dragon stood behind her.

“Sweet child.” It spoke, not with it’s mouth but with it’s mind. “Sweet child, you must be lost.” It’s voice echoed through her mind, leaving a curiosity across her face. Silence outside the mind was met with a strange crunch of metal nearby. The dragon snapped it’s head quickly, hunching low to the ground. “Child, my name is Mydus, please crawl behind me and hide.”

Although the voice was terrifying, the child nodded quietly and made her way behind the dragon’s body. Her hands traced the scales, a warm wall, passing by. As soon as she found herself tucked behind, between the twist of his tail, more sounds appeared from the forest.

Mydus stood low to the ground, watching and waiting. Slowly, bodies emerged from the dark wood, revealing 6 silver clad knights. Each one stood with a sword in hand and a shiver down their spine. “What do you want?” Mydus spoke, entering each mind all at once. Each man reacted in their own way, all confused and fearful.

“Beast! We are looking for the princess.” One man spoke up, his voice held no tremble, but anger instead. “There is no doubt, you have had your little snack and I will cut that scaled stomach open right here.”

Mydus frowned. “You suspect me of eating a human.” The dragon’s eyes peered back at the man. “How dare you enter my woods and accuse me of something so foul.” Mydus took one step closer, the ground shaking.

“Not one step closer you malicious beast!” Swords raised and ready.

“I would hold your weapons down,” Mydus spoke again, with more anger this time. “You threaten and accuse the innocent. You are not in the correct place to do so without consequences.” As the dragon stood it’s ground, he watched the men choose their own fate. Each step closer was a deep breath in and when they each took one final step, a wave of fire brushed through them like wind on a cold day.

Silence fell over the woods once more. Silver pieces lay sweetly on the floor, no traces of human remains. Mydus sighed and shook his head. He didn’t like hurting people, and he was very disappointed in man once again. A lost princess. He would never hurt a child. He thought about the accusation and turned his head to assure the safety of said child. His eyes met a curled tail with an empty space that once held a tiny body. “Lost child. Lost again.” He sighed.