“Right then,” he spoke, ascending into the sky in a single leap, magic casually weaving outward as it brought his strong form to bear. Blackened scales of glimmering onyx and darkness clutched around a thin and lithe frame that held aloft the shuddering strength contained within. Large wings blossomed forth and slammed downward with enough force to flatten a nearby tree.

Casting his draconic gaze northward, he moved rapidly toward the distant mountain range that carried the cave network he called home, landing with a practised grace that dared not harm a single creature that bowed before him. The scaly reptilians below all knelt and bowed as they moved to dust and brush against his scales as he passed.

Making his way into the cave proper, he passed by the smaller entrances that marked the homes of his subjects. The scents of simple meals and swiftly-baked creatures teased his nostrils, but nothing compared to the radiant smell wafting from his quarters. The tunnel wound and curved before opening up into a massive cave laden with treasure: coins piled up in neat stacks, upon which small children would play, the clinging and clattering echoing out every time one was knocked over.

There, in the centre beside his bed, was the large bear that would be his dinner. Carefully hunted by 20 kobolds waiting in ambush with arrows. Clawed feet moved over to the small pile of treasure he then curled around, and large bites were swiftly taken. It was a rather small meal, easily over within a few chomps, and the snap of the bones echoed like a symphony inside the cave.

Eyes closing, he lowered his head and began to prepare for his rest. One by one, the children were ushered out and taken to their domains and caverns, and he was able to slumber and dream. A dream of fighting and fire. Of flame and scale. Of guns and screams. A slow purring sound soon filled the cave as the dragon began to snore.

One by one, the kobold children were lulled to sleep by the sound of their protector, and the adults were free to begin preparing for their own rest. One, however, did not. Instead, he moved to walk over to the sleeping dragon, curling up beside its maw as soft whimpers were stifled. The dragon slowly opened one eye, their purring snore ceasing slowly as they saw the singular creature.

“I-I’m sorry Mylord! I-I just-” They were cut off as the dragon shifted and focused their gaze full on them and froze for a moment as the gigantic maw towered over them, opening slightly to utter some simple words in a quiet tone.

“Speak, what makes you scared so? If a beast has attacked, I will take care of it.” A tinkling of gold echoed throughout the cavern as he moved a claw out and gently rubbed it against the head of the kobold. Each movement was careful and precise. A single twitch would easily end a life.

“Do you have to go? What if the humans do something to you? Or enslave you. We will die without you…I’m terrified.” Tears filled their eyes, the only movement they made was the light bending of their head under the careful movement of the titan before them.

“Your name is Urk, right? After the plant?” They watched as the kobold nodded.

“I remember when you had just hatched. They brought you before me to be judged. Your eyes held a kindness, but also a weakness. A worrier.” Eyes closing at the memory, he moved to lower his claw as the kobold looked on in shock.

“One as great as you…remembers me?” A soft chuckle escaped the dragon, and their frame glowed with magic as arcane runes shimmered in the air. Their form appeared to be sucked into a single point, and soon another kobold stood before Urk, this one with black scales and far taller than any natural kobold.

“Of course I do. Just because I have great power does not mean I can’t care.” A clawed hand reached over and began to pet Urk once more, who was more responsive now that a giant talon wasn’t crushing their head each time. They allowed themselves to be comforted, and in the dragon’s radiant warmth.

“A dragon’s memory is timeless. While you may grow foggy and forget what you ate yesterday, I will remember with perfect clarity what I ate. It was a griffin, a little gamey but still good.” With their words, the kobold began to cry again.

“You are such a sensitive soul, much like your mother. If there is one thing I have learned in my time fighting in this war, it’s how humans think. They won’t make any deal they could potentially lose. After all, to insult me would cause quite a hassle to their ‘immigration’ attempt.” The tears dried up at his words, and the wide innocent eyes of the youngling stared up with hope.

“You promise?” A soft squeak echoed out as they were lifted into the air and carried in his arms toward the barracks.

“I promise. On my dragon’s blood, I will never bow to a human.” With careful hands, the kobold was tucked into bed, and the dragon moved out and back to his own, shifting with a breath back into his natural form. Rolling his shoulders to shake off the feeling of lacking wings, he slowly slumped onto his gold as the entire cave rumbled briefly, waking not a single figure.

Their mind slowly drifted off once more, going over the events of the day. That blonde man that had harmed his people. Claws clenched down unto gold for a moment as his teeth curled, a low boiling anger slowly rising as heat filled the room. Breathing in, and out, he relaxed once more. Too hot and he might well cook his subjects.

A brief protective instinct filled him, and he began to pile his gold up around him to better protect it, clutching onto it as his anger billowed and ebbed at the thought of something harming his possessions. But as with all things, sleep did call, each movement burying him more and more into the gold like a blanket.