The night was clear and the cool air kept coming in gentle blows of the fresh evening breeze. The starlight dragon glided majestically on its fantastic wings right over my head. I looked up in utter amazement. It was so wonderful!

“Greetings, o mighty one”, I shouted, not believing it would even hear me, not to mention thinking it worth to so much as look at me. But it did and its eyes were brighter than a full moon. I paled. The mysterious creature landed silently and I heard its deep, melodic voice that rang like a sound of a distant bell. “Greetings girl”. My disbelief made me stay mute for a while. It took so long that the dragon asked me what I wanted from it.

At last I was able to speak again and I responded. "May I go with you, o mighty one?" That was all I ever wanted and now I had a chance of fulfilling my irrational dream. „No, girl. You may not follow my path.", it answered and I felt my hopes collapse in a blink of an eye. "But. why? I admire you so much!", my voice trembled and tears came into my eyes. "That is exactly why you must not accompany me girl. You are not ready."

The awful reply still vibrated in the quiet air when the dragon spread its enchanted wings and flew right into the sky richly incrusted with stars. "I am not ready for what?..."

* * *

Many years have passed since the night I met the dragon. I have changed so much. But one thing would never change. I will always dream of the journey to the limits of this world with a dragon at my side. A smile came onto my lips when the thought crossed my mind.

I was standing on the same hill that during that unforgettable day, but the sky was dark and gloomy now. Freezing gasps of wind made me shudder, but I was waiting for something, although I had no idea of what I was expecting.

The distant church bell tolled midnight when I heard his wings above my head. Once again the dragon sat in front of me, but this time out of his own accord. "Be blessed, o mighty one and may your journey be safe.", I greeted him and bowed.

"I am doomed, not blessed, girl.", it responded and in its voice I felt exhaustion. "And I am no longer a girl, mighty one. But I have learned to understand your words.", I answered with a smile.

"So, you have solved my riddle?", the dragon did not seem at all surprised, as if it was expecting that. "It is not a riddle any more. You did not let me follow your path because a warrior must be alone and his heart must be free of every passion, but the love of combat. Am I not right, o mighty one?"

"You are certainly right, girl. But if it is so why do you not attack me?", its deep voice rang with consideration. "I have learned one more thing. A warrior can respect the one that is wiser than himself.", I responded, gazing the beautiful creature straight in the eyes.

"Then you are ready now. You may follow my path if you want it still. But, as I have told you, I am doomed and not mighty.”, the magnificent beast sounded solemn.

"Let me share your fate, then.", I replied softly and looked again right into its infinitely deep eyes the color of the moon. "You are brave.", it said quietly. It meant for me more than any other praise I could ever get.

The dragon told me its story. It had to fight its final combat against the immortals. I was a warrior myself and I have lived long enough not to be afraid of death, even if it was certain. I had no fear in my bosom when we approached together the limits of the world. The sun was rising and the red light made the dragon's wings glitter like pieces of clear ice. The night was coming to an end and so were we.

My sword sang in my fist when I raised it against the gods. The fiery dragon’s breath took possession of some of our enemies. But we had no chance and soon the blood was flowing lightly out of my body to mix with the blood of the dragon. I heard my own insane laughter, one more person fell with the thrust of my sword and everything went dark in an instant. The last thing I took notice of was the dying shriek of the dragon and the eternal calmness embraced me as if it had been waiting for me.

The Dragon

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